89POINTS
16¼/20
Blue Grouse Quill Chardonnay 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the first chardonnay I have tasted in the bottle from Blue Grouse, released under the Quill Series label. The style is skinny, fresh, and bright, a trademark of Vancouver Island, and undoubtedly welcome on the BC chardonnay scene. The attack is green apple and citrus with a hint of orange blossom for interest and complexity. The saline, flinty, mineral finish is another nice touch in a wine that will be well suited to coastal shellfish and deftly prepared seafood. Did I mention this flavourful white comes in at 11.5 percent alcohol? I look forward to more of this from Blue Grouse. It's an impressive start. The fruit is all Cowichan Valley grown in Hillbank soils that are silty to sandy silty and loamy in the structure located in the Glenora area. It was fermented and aged in eight French barriques that were fourth fill, and one 500L French puncheon that was second fill. The barrels were periodically stirred over eight months.Tasted: 16 August 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:BC | $25.99 | 750ml | winery direct |
Vintage West Wine Marketing
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Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 626990179665