Little Engine Silver Chardonnay 2022
Estate grown fruit was hand-harvested on a range of picking dates from late September to mid-October to yield a complexity of flavours and acidity. A combination of whole-cluster pressing and pressing after overnight skin contact was used. The juice was fermented, using several different yeasts, in stainless steel tanks and a variety of seasoned French oak barrels. Fermentations were long and cool to preserve aromatics. 75% of the final blend was barrel-fermented (no new oak) and matured on lees for 8 months with bâtonnage for palate development. All this work yielded a seductive, silky Chardonnay where Old World Charm and acid balance is blended with New World audacious fruit and richness. The oak is integrated perfectly, providing some nuttiness and vanilla, as well as a golden hue. Chill lightly and enjoy with fish tacos or Pork Belly Banh Mi.
Little Engine Silver Pinot Noir 2021
Hand-harvested and hand-sorted bunches are de-stemmed and crushed into large, temperature-controlled fermenters for a week-long soak before being slowly warmed to initiate spontaneous fermentation using wild yeasts.. During this process, manual punchdowns of the cap are done three times daily to aid in flavour development and to extract more pigment and tannic structure. The temperature is allowed to rise slowly so that malolactic fermentation can occur before the juice is pressed into a combination of seasoned oak barriques for 14 months of aging. Explosive on the nose, with a rich ruby colour in the glass. This is unabashedly Naramata Bench Pinot: bold and structured, but with the grace and elegance that is the calling card of the varietal. The tannins are prevalent, but developed — more of a light prickle than gripping, but providing balance to the weight of the fruit. This is a contemplation wine that gets better as it breathes. Chill to cellar temperature serve with seared duck breast, veggie terrines or beef tartare with frites.
