RKS 2024 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards Has Benched Me!

In most sports being “benched” is indicative of poor performance or naughty manners. So when I received from Meyer Family Vineyards in British Columbia a Chardonnay from their Old Main Road Vineyard located on the Naramata Bench I raised no objection. I deserve no penalty for misconduct in reviewing MFV wines or at least they have not told me so.

The Naramata Bench is well known throughout Canada for producing high quality grapes which in the right winemaker’s hands just like Chris Carson’s at MFV can produce top quality wine. The Naramata Bench was designated in 2019 as a sub geographical indication recognized as being geographically unique in the production of wine grapes. The Old Main Road Vineyard was originally planted in 1996 with 100% Chardonnay and has a gentle northerly aspect with the soil composed of alluvial deposits making up a silt loam overlaying a clay loam.

Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of pressing was used for the wine. Fermentation commenced in stainless steel and the must was transferred to 100% French oak (25% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lie” for 11 months without battonage. The wine is unfined and coarsely filtered. 766 cases were made.

Aroma: Perky and bright apple and pear greet the nose accompanied by vibrant peach, apricot and pineapple with some butterscotch.

Palate: Pineapple, pear, mango with a bizarre tiny nip of bean sprouts. Moderately long finish. Discrete acidity. LEAN AND PRECISE.

Personality: Solid and steady. Could I be Miss Naramata 2024? Pardon me but I have great legs! I sprout a marvellous story if you stop and listen.

Food Match: Chop Suey assuming of course I still go by that Bonanza name? Wanting more sophistication, then scallop curry.

Cellarbility: Consume by 2028-year end.

Price: $32.36 CDN. Europeans and Yanks contact the winery for shipments to you.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 92/100.

(Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Okanagan Valley 2022, Naramata Bench, Old Main Road Vineyard, Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 13.5%).