RKS Wine : Meyer Family Vineyards 2020 Tribute Series Chardonnay – Terry Threlfall

For the past few years Meyer Family Vineyards (MFV) in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley has released a tribute Chardonnay. This time it is a tribute to the late Terry Threlfall a Vancouver born sommelier operating at the time of his death in London. He was 43 when he passed in 2020.

The 2020 Chardonnay vintage was an excellent one. The grapes were from the Old Main Road Vineyard in the Naramata bench in British Columbia. The soil is comprised of alluvial deposits making up a silt loam overlying a clay loam. For most of the ferment it was done in stainless steel vessels and the wine was transferred to French oak (22% new) to complete fermentation. 500 cases were produced.

Yes the oak is noticeable but of sufficient intensity to give the wine character and not overtake it. As for aromas pineapple, guava, tangerine, honey and peach. On the palate the character-building quality of the oak is apparent. The palate is like a shy ballerina looking tiny and delicate but bursting with talent and grace. There is no other way of describing the wine as elegant and very polished. There are notes of tangerine, peach and butterscotch.

This is one of those wines that is so good it simply must be tried on its own before pairing it with food. I think it would match a green tomato and olive pasta. Don’t throw away those unripened tomatoes! The recipe is here https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/farfalle-green-tomatoes-black-olives-and-basil

I raise up a phrase I have used to describe MFV Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs and that is do not bother spending a bundle for Burgundian counterparts. MFV does it so good. If you are looking for a lightly oaked Chardonnay that is elegant pick up this magnificent Chardonnay.

(Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench 2020 Tribute Series Chardonnay-Terry Threfall, BC VQA, Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia $ 30.52, 750 mL, 13.5%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 95/100).

MFV you have done Terry proud! The price may be daunting but given its quality grab a case before the rest of Canada figures out how good it is. Check out the MFV website at https://mfvwines.com/collections/chardonnay

Chris Carson is the winemaker.

This is so good it will be hard to resist consuming it this year. I think it will improve in the bottle over the next three years and hold steady after that until 2028.