As 2023 terminates it may be time to reflect on the year. From a wine perspective it certainly has been interesting. The highlight was my media trip to Porto, Säo Miguel and Pico Island with massive wine exposure in a short time. It looks as if I will be repeating that trip in February. More details to come. And the MFV corporate DC 6 has been repaired so I will be whisked to Okanagan Falls in the very near future where I will be reading tea leaves (for a substantial charge) and meeting esteemed members of the Okanagan Falls community.
And 2023 saw 2022 Meyer Family Vineyards wines coming my way. MFV is most well known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir so why did I fall head over heels for their 2022 Gewurztraminer which is not only the best in Canada but the best I have had anywhere.
However, these people at MFV aren’t perfect. I think they have made a mistake on their label for the 2022 Stevens Block Chardonnay. My surname is Stephen not Stevens. You see my family of Scottish ancestry purchased land in 1899 Okanagan that included this erroneously named block. My great grand pappy Rufus McGonigle lost the land in a rigged card game, or so he said, and the Stephen name disappeared. No use to cry over spilt milk. But when the British Columbia Gaming Commission releases their findings on this swindle which will be no time soon as they have been ruminating on the case since 1921 the Stephen name will be restored! God willing (7 virgins not included)!
Harbouring no ill will whatsoever and not even contemplating familial revenge nor tempted to rate this Chard at 49.9/100 let us try the wine.
The Stevens Block is a block in MFV’s Old Main Road Vineyard which is located on the esteemed Naramata Bench. It was whole cluster pressed which presumably would increase its tannins and grippiness which may have been reduced by the fact the first juices were used for the wine.
Aroma: Matsu apple, clementine, mango and a bit of banana.
Palate: Unlike the other MFV Chards this one has a long finish that rolls and crashes like Tofino waves. It is also grippier than the other MFV Chards reminding me somewhat of an Encruzado from the Däo in Portugal. Peach and apricot dominate.
Personality: I am a bit different than the other 2022 MFV Chards who we might call delicate ladies. Think of me as a bit of a tomboy. Just a bit rough on the edges like that talk show host Pat Burns on was it CKGL radio in Vancouver. If I called in he would say, “Hello Doll.”
Food Match: Roast Pork slow cooked in a swimming pool of sherry, honey, soy sauce, garlic and ginger over jasmine rice. Oh yeah!
Cellarbility: 542 cases of this elixir produced and drink by end of 2029.
Price: $27.04. CDN. Outside of Canada then you still may be able to fill your glass with this great Chardonnay but contact winery for shipping details.
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 94/100. Beam me up a case of this Scotty!
(Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Okanagan Valley Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Stevens Block, Old Main Road Vineyard, Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, 750 mL, 13.5%).
P.S. All references to “Stevens Block” are not based on real events or people living or long gone. The block has been named in homage to Janice Stevens-Meyer that lady behind Mayhem Wines. The author apologizes for any confusion, sorrow or outrage caused by his overactive imagination!
Set the Bar 