Wine |
Arrowleaf Cellars Solstice Chardonnay 2006 |
Appellation |
Okanagan |
Grape Varietal |
Chardonnay |
Alcohol % |
14.2 |
Price |
$20 |
Quantity |
N.A. |
Where to get it |
Winery website, in select wine stores and restaurants |
Point score |
90 |
A North Okanagan winery that opened in 2003, Arrowleaf Cellars releases its reserve wines under its Solstice label. That designation first appeared in 2004 for a Bordeaux blend. It has now grown to encompass a family of wines, including Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay. These are all moderately-priced as reserve wines go and they all over-deliver.
This is an excellent Chardonnay – a big, ripe wine with surprising alcohol for a north Okanagan Chardonnay. There is so much fruit and flavour here, however, that you don’t notice the alcohol until you look at the label. The buttery, citrus flavours have a nice bright focus set on a rich palate, because two-thirds of the wine was made in stainless steel while one-third was fermented and aged six months in French oak. The result is a fresh, elegant Chardonnay.
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