Availability: Direct from winery here. Select private and VQA stores
Cost: $70
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 72 cases
Date Tasted: November 14th, 2010
Tasting Notes: The Meyer Family Vineyards' 2009 Micro Cuvée Chardonnay comes from the same Old Main Road Vineyard on Naramata Bench that yields their excellent Tribute Series release. To make the grade as the Micro Cuvée, a small lot release of 72 cases, the winery selects the barrels which offer the best balance and greatest expression of terroir. The result is a Chardonnay that exudes character and pushes the quality benchmark for BC Chardonnay. In short, it's an "experience" wine.
The balance of fruit-to-acid-to-minerality is exquisite. Orchard fruits mingle with savoury oak notes and meld with citrus and melon characters. Highly concentrated on the palate with good continuity of flavours from the refined nose. The texture reminds one of a great cigar in the way it envelopes your mouth while never being overbearing.
This Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay strives for the same thing that the Grand Cru wines of Burgundy do - be the ultimate expression of terroir - that French term to describe everything that encompasses a wine's sense of place. That is not to say that the wines are doppelgangers, as comparing BC's youthful and varied vineyards to the thousand year old agricultural knowledge and meticulously planted landscape of Burgundy is irresolvable, but the attention to detail and the pursuit of excellent is - at the fraction of the price.
Enjoy this Chardonnay on its own with friends as a showcase. As with other 2009 releases, it is drinking well in its youth and has the finesse and pedigree to last a long time. Drink 2011-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010
I have had three bottles of the 09 Micro Cuvee. They have all been outstanding! Absolutely the best Chardonnay in Canada right here!
ReplyDelete