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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanctext
89POINTS
16¼/20

Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2015

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Nikki Callaway says she is talking to the chenin blanc, trying to see what it wants to be. So far her style has kept it super fresh and clean – one I happen to like - but the purists seem to think it should have more weight and presence long into the glass. Maybe so, but the 2015 has a bright attack of lemon, grass and melons that work well with its creamy textures. Not quite as skinny as last year but there is more sauvignon blanc, ten percent here versus the nine in the 2014 blend. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed followed by cold fermentation, 85 percent in stainless steel tanks and 15 percent in 2-year-old French oak barrels, and for the first time, two 500-litre puncheons. Pretty tasty out of the gate with seafood, but if you can wait give it three to five years under screwcap.Tasted: 18 October 2016Tasted by: Prices:
BC$17.99750mlBCLS
AB$15.00750ml 
SK$19.99750ml 
MB$19.00750mlBanville & Jones
ON$23.00750mlconsignment - Hobbs
QC$20.05750mlSAQ
NS$23.00750ml 
PEI$23.00750ml 
NB$23.00750ml 
NF$23.00750ml 
Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate WineryDistributors: Appellation Wine Marketing
Family Wine Merchants
Grape: Chenin BlancCSPC: 391854UPC: 778856115031