Tasting Note: Huge value here, in a very fine 100% chardonnay sparkler that captures a certain lightness of being, charm and elan, yet retains the serious structure and depth of traditional method bubbles.  I expect this of chardonnay-based Blanc de Blanc in general, but this is impeccably tidy and well balanced with all the right aromatic notes of apple crisp, almond nuttiness. lemon loaf and toasty spice. It is light-bodied (12% abv) with brisk but not tart acid, just an echo of sweetness and very fine, lively mousse. The lemon, toasty and nutty flavours stay right on beam and hit excellent length.

Backgrounder: Tantalus has been making traditional method sparklers from its beginnings, being blessed with an ideal cool climate site for chardonnay and pinot noir.  The fruit for this sparkling Chardonnay is from a single block planted in 2013, early harvested to preserve acidity and lower alcohol. The juice was fermented in seasoned puncheons and barriques. The base wine aged six months on its lees in oak before being bottled for secondary fermentation en tirage. After 22 months of lees aging, the wine was disgorged in February 2026 with a small addition of dosage to 4.2% 

Accolades: Gold National Wine Awards of Canada 2026