Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Gordon A. Smith Old Main Road Vineyard 2018
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2018 the Tribute Chardonnay pays homage to Gordon Appelbe Smith, CM, OBC., "a cornerstone in the history of Modernist painting in Canada. At age 100, Smith's creativity continues to enrich all, not only through his artistic contributions but also through his mentoring and generosity to others." 2018 follows the Meyer mantra: a gentle press, only the best free-run juice is used that is fermented and aged in all French oak barrels (now only 22 percent new) for 11 months without stirring or battonage. It goes through a natural malolactic fermentation before it is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The winery is based in the sub-GI, Okanagan Falls, but the fruit for Tribute comes of the "Old Main Road Vineyard," a small terrace on the sub-GI Naramata Bench. Old Main Road was planted in 1996 exclusively to chardonnay vines over a mix of silty alluvial deposits over clay loam. Its northerly aspects tend to temper the speed of ripening that usually spawns a full series of flavours without dissipating the natural acidity — farming is uncertified organic/sustainable. The profile is skinny in 2018 led by a fresh lemony nose and palate with bits of green apple and more citrus throughout. It's solid if a little bit soft through the finish. It will be ready to drink sooner than later, and you can start this summer.Tasted: 13 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Gordon A. Smith Old Main Road Vineyard 2018
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis year's Tribute Series Chardonnay honours Gordon Applebe Smith, a Canadian artist who passed in 2020. The grapes come from their Old Main Road Vineyard on Naramata Bench, planted in 1996 on silt loams over clay, sloping gently north. After a long, cool stainless ferment to kick off, this moved to French oak (22% new) to complete MLF and fermentation, where it remained for 11 months on the lees. Toasted popcorn, lemon curd, lemon peel, ample lees and noticeable oak rule this young, full-bodied wine, one held to a refreshing 13.5 degrees and lingering with tight wood spicing.Tasted: 14 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:
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