For a few years I have been riding the Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir merry go round. Like a child I don’t want to hop off because I am having so much fun. Quality consistency even in the face of challenging growing seasons.
The winery says, “The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season….” That is promising news particularly as we are trying an MFV 2022 Okanagan Valley McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir. The McLean Creek Road Vineyard was planted in 1994 and is within the Okanagan Falls sub-geographical indication. It has a predominately steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The Pinot Noir blocks are planted with a 91 Pommard clone and 4 Dijon clones (114/115/667/777). The grapes were hand harvested from 14October-27October. The juice was transferred to 100% French oak barrels 25% of which was new and it rested for 11 months. 795 cases made. The winery says it has a cellaring potential for 10 plus years.
Aroma: Raspberry, strawberry and some milk chocolate. The oak is so well integrated into the wine it is hardly discernable as a separate component of the wine. Interesting that despite the 25% new oak there is more discernable oak on the 2022 “B’ Field Blend Pinot Noir where the oak was 100% neutral French oak.
Palate: Smooth with minimal tannins. The finish seems to have no end! The fruit and the potentiality for its brilliance is so well tucked into the wine it leads one to conclude this wine is in its infancy. There is blackberry, cherry and cranberry.
Personality: I may be a toddler but those with toddler experience can participate in the joy of toddlerdom right now if they wish.
Food Match: Smoked salmon pasta in a tomato cream sauce.
Cellarbility: The winery says 10 plus years cellaring potential. That may be pushing it just a bit but I remain silent on that. I would say wait 3 years (if you can) before opening it. Curiosity may have killed the cat but I never heard it killed a Pinot Noir drinker.
Price: $37.48 CDN. For possible delivery to Europe and the United States contact the winery for shipping information.
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 94/100.
(Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Pinot Noir Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Falls, McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 ml, 13.5%)
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