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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Elephant Island Reserve Chardonnaytext
88POINTS
16/20

Elephant Island Reserve Chardonnay 2018

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Reserve Series of wines happens only in particular years when the grapes and vintage prove worthy of putting aside. In the case of this 2018 Reserve Chardonnay, this came from their Naramata estate Sideshow Hill Vineyard and 19-year-old own-rooted vines. This lot aged one year in new French oak, which is noticed immediately upon nosing. Sweet vanillin previews pear custard, apple butter, bright lemon curd and fragrant gardenias, firmly wrapped in that blanket of new wood. The finish trails off with a hint of butterscotch and ample nutmeg spicing. At this point, this is a lot of a lot, but it has the structure and stuffing to age over the short term, so I suggest pouring it alongside butter drawn lobster now or wait a few years when it's refined and ready for crab.Tasted: 12 October 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$33.00750mlwinery direct
Producer: Elephant Island Orchard WinesDistributors: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 7730UPC: 626990288992