Mission Hill Terroir Collection No. 8 Jagged Rock Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI was dazzled by this alluring chardonnay when tasting it blind at the National Wine Awards of Canada. My notes say, 'lovely terroir expression' eerily channelling the name of this Mission Hill tier, 'Terroir Collection.' Lush Meyer lemon curd, ripe peach and heady honeysuckle scents appear in a more restrained form on the palate. Here the wine shows 'rocks and lemons' according to my blind note, with delicate layers of ripe orchard fruit, beautifully expressed oak, and a salty mineral finale. Jagged Rock Vineyard is a head-turning site near Oliver in the sun-drenched South Okanagan, allowing full ripening, but 425 metres of elevation and evening shading ensure the fruit is as streamlined as it is ripe. Smart and thoughtful winemaking sees this chardonnay refined in small French oak casks (only 6% new which explains the subtle oak nature), large French oak barrels (32%), and 10% of this chardonnay saw time in the small clay sphere called a Clayver. Almost a year and a half of resting upon the lees have built textural interest and added complex toasty aromas and flavours. Elegance, precision, tense fruit and a clear terroir expression are one for Dungeness crab cakes or lemony grilled chicken. A year or two of age will reveal even more complexity.Tasted: 10 September 2019Tasted by: Prices: BC 45.00 winery direct, restaurants
Producer: Mission Hill Family EstateDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 776545991232
Mission Hill Terroir Collection No. 8 Jagged Rock Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright lemon curd and lees lead a bright, vibrant, sun-soaked chardonnay that pops in the glass. On the nose, you get a mix of floral (white flower and lemon blossom notes) that adds energy to a stony, mineral basement. A lot is going on here, but all in a good way. The richness is almost Corton-like, giving this wine a promising future. It's the Next Okanagan style, although much bolder than the flagship Perpetua Chardonnay. At Mission Hill, the Terroir Series wines are meant to tell a story. In this case, the chardonnay is from Oliver's Jagged Rock Vineyard a warm sandy / loamy site. It is planted to clone 76 at some 400 metres above sea level surrounded by towering and steep rocky cliffs. It spends 16 months on the lees in a blend of French oak, foudre, and clayver (ceramic) containers.Tasted: 04 June 2019Tasted by: Prices: BC 45.00 winery direct, restaurants
Producer: Mission Hill Family EstateDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 776545991232
Mission Hill Terroir Collection No. 8 Jagged Rock Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom MHFE Terroir Series, this chardy comes from Oliver's Jagged Rock Vineyard, a warm sandy / loamy site surrounded by towering and steep rocky cliffs. The vineyard sits around 400 m in altitude, and this comes from clone 76. This spent 16 months on the lees in a blend of French oak, foudre, and clayver. Toast and lemon curd lead this fuller bodied white, one that has absorbed the sun of its southern Okanagan site. There's a lovely white flower / lemon blossom note that lifts, and a stony grip that firms. The finish is flush with warmth and a medicinal white cherry. As it stands, still too much on the blousy wooded style at this young stage, but moving very much in the right (tight) direction. One to watch.Tasted: 01 July 2019Tasted by: Prices: BC 45.00 winery direct, restaurants
Producer: Mission Hill Family EstateDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 776545991232
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