True, Chardonnay is likely not new nor exotic for most wine enthusiasts but it is a wine overlooked by many — maybe because it is so “mainstream,” or perhaps due to lingering bad tastes and memories from exuberantly oaky Chardonnays of the past. Well the time is ripe to revisit Chardonnay in your wine glass. Start with Tinhorn Creek’s latest release of their Oldfield Reserve Chardonnay to see how balanced, elegant, and delicious B.C. Chardonnay can be. Whole cluster pressed, natural fermentation in new and old fill French oak barrels, and subsequent 17 months aging in a combination of oak and stainless steel has led to a vibrant, complex, and wonderfully textural Chardonnay. (Oh, there is also a varietal tier Chardonnay from the winery that offers solid value at around $20.)
James Nevison, September 2018