2016 Seven Stars “Eclipse”

Description

Tasting Notes
Eclipse, a spectacular, short-lived event that changes perceptions and colours of the atmosphere around us. When the sun, earth and moon align we view the sky differently. This is true for our Eclipse traditional method Chardonnay sparkling wine, with a touch of texture and colour changing our perception. The Seven Stars collection of sparkling wines are crafted in the traditional “Methode Champenoise” style in which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This complex yet pleasing vintage displays fresh baked bread and biscuit along with bright red fruit, citrus and apple. The mousse is creamy making the wine full bodied and well balanced with a crisp finish. Eclipse is ideal for anything you are celebrating, as well as enjoying with appetizers, brie or grilled scallops.

Stylistic Notes
The grapes for Eclipse were picked with a high natural acidity so that this can be mantained throughout extended time in bottle. The wine was left “en tirage” for a minimum of 18 months to ensure the development of autolytic characters. After riddling we disgorged this wine and added a complex dosage to enhance the flavour and body.

Vintage Report
The 2016 growing season was one of the longest in the Okanagan, with spring commencing very quickly in the Valley. One of our earliest starts ever, had flowering 2 weeks ahead of normal and fruit set remaining on track. Many expected another record early harvest, however Mother Nature fortunately intervened. July and August were cooler than normal with more precipitation than usual slowing the ripening process slightly and the rain contributing to good vine growth. Mixed conditions in autumn saw a fantastic warm and sunny September with only intermittent rain, affording us good weather for harvest. October brought some additional rain and frost incidents in the south of the Valley at mid-month. We began harvest with Chardonnay for sparkling wine August 23 and brought in our last grapes November 3. It was quite an extended harvest with a 10-day break between harvesting whites and reds. Overall, we picked some white grapes earlier than usual, but the reds stayed on average pick dates. Growing Degree Days in both Penticton and Langley totalled 1326 and 973 respectively, above their 23-year average of 1216 and 863. Overall, the season provided us flavourful fruit with balanced ripeness and nice phenolic development. An usual, but great harvest in our books!

Winemaker Notes
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Harvest Date: 20.9B average
Alcohol: 13%
Harvest Date: August 24 & September 13, 2016
Vineyards: Hidden Terrace and Township 7 Naramata
Technical data: pH 3.22 TA 7.8 g/L RS 8.7 g/L
Bottles produced: 3588 • SKU 191265 • UPC 6 26990 37425 1