2022 Bear Chardonnay

With a nod to Tantalus proprietor Eric Savics’ eldest son Eric Jr., affectionately known to many over the years as “Bear”, this wine was crafted from our youngest blocks and made in a crisp and lively style.

A glimmering green-gold in colour, the wine exhibits classic Chablis like aromas of sea breeze, oyster shell and lemon custard, alongside pear and apple crumble, while green floral notes bring intrigue to the nose. The palate is brimming with fresh acidity: big notes of honey dew melon, ambrosia apple and sweet basil are juxtaposed by a playful yuzu-like freshness and hint of orange creamsicle. A lively and fresh texture with a lovely rounded weight.

Our Bear Chardonnay has quietly emerged as a fan favourite for good reason. It‘s approachable, fruit-forward and a versatile food companion.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

The harsh winter of 2021 and subsequent bud damage meant that Chardonnay crops in the North part of the Okanagan Valley were extremely scarce. As a result, we acted to thoughtfully pursue sources of Chardonnay beyond our estate borders. We were fortunate to secure three parcels of beautiful grower Chardonnay, predominantly from an organic vineyard in Osoyoos, coupled with a small parcel from Okanagan Falls and from a vineyard near our home site in East Kelowna Slopes.

Upon pressing, half of the wine was fermented wild in stainless steel tanks while the remainder was fermented in a combination of older barriques and puncheons. The wine spent 3 months on fermentation lees with only partial malolactic fermentation pursued. The focus was on capturing the first flavour window of each vineyard allowing the wine to remain fresh and vibrant like its predecessors, with just a hint of oak character.