2008 Perpetua
The pinnacle of white wine viticulture and winemaking at Mission Hill Family Estate
Perpetua is a single vineyard Chardonnay comprised of three distinct clones. Each contributes particular characteristics and complexity to this wine. After crushing and light skin contact, 25% of the free run juice is set aside and barrel fermented in our finest new French oak barrels. The wine is then aged for 10 months sur lie, and stirred by hand every two weeks. The remainder is cold fermented in small stainless steel vats.
Wine Specs
| Vintage | 2008 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Okanagan |
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Now in its third vintage, Perpetua continues to show great restraint with
regards to oak, opting for a fresh, mineral laden, food friendly style. The nose
shows notes of honeysuckle and lemon-lime along with hints of fennel,
hazelnut and a subtle suggestion of vanilla bean. The palate is crisp and lively
with yellow apple, lime, jasmine and a faint note of praline and oak spice on the
finish. A clean, pure reflection of our top Chardonnay vineyard in Osoyoos.
Vineyard Notes
The Osoyoos Vineyard Estate, planted in 1997, is located on the East side of
Osoyoos Lake. The vineyard is situated, in Canada’s only desert, just 10m from
the USA border at latitude 49°. This north facing block of the vineyard allows
for gradual ripening on soils mainly comprised of loamy, fine sand overtop of glacier melt water deposits.
Production Notes
Spring began cooler-than-usual but warm and dry conditions prevailed
providing the ideal growing and ripening weather for another typically great
Okanagan vintage. The grapes were night-harvested on September 18th while
keeping clones separate, and ensuring maximum flavour retention. Careful vine
management, low yields, tight pruning regimes and irrigation control all came
to the fore in allowing the estate-grown fruit to reach excellent maturation
levels and optimal phenolic ripeness.