Culmina Family Estate Winery Dilemma Chardonnay 2013

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Natalie's Review

Culmina Family Estate Winery Dilemma Chardonnay 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: There's a nervy tension in this BC Chardonnay, with this being the third leaf crop from the Margaret's Bench Vineyard, which sits high up on a bench and enjoys a cool climate and slow ripening. The vine roots need time to establish themselves and show their true character, so expect more excitement in the bottle from this block in the future. Why Dilemma? Owner Don Triggs discovered a small block of 18-year-old vines in the heart of this vineyard and he refused to pull them thinking old vines produce great wines. However, several experiments proved him wrong, so he relented and the vines were replanted. Only 180 cases were produced for the 2013 vintage. There's medium toast on the barrels. Racking is done by gravity for gentle handling, and only 60% of the wine underwent a malolactic fermentation to maintain freshness and balancing acidity. Therefore, this wine is a beautiful companion to a broader set of dishes and occasions. Drink: 2014-2019. 14% D 750 mL $36.00 Score: 93/100. April 18, 2016 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review

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