Tasting Note – I have tasted this three times. It is a great chardonnay and a true value in the global sphere at $70. I was not immediately impressed on opening, but stayed with it and was wowed.  It is now evolving with bright, slightly brassy lemon-gold colour. The nose is intense and classic, a modern chardonnay with carefully played flinty reduction then hazelnut/cashew and toasty notes meshed with ripe peach/apricot fruit, lemon zest and butterscotch. It is full bodied and quite broad with very good acidity and warming balanced 13.5% alcohol.  Aromas translate well to the intense flavours on the palate and stay well focused on the spicy finish. The length is outstanding, driving this rating.

Backgrounder – This is the top-tier Legacy series chardonnay from Mission Hill. The 2023 growing season presented a warm spring, a hot summer, a mild autumn and an early harvest. So full on ripeness ensued. This chardonnay was hand harvested from sites in Oliver (56%) and Osoyoos (44%). It was fermented and aged sur lie in French oak barriques and puncheons. Nothing all that different in the production perhaps but in the lot and barrel selections there is plenty to be excited about.