Meyer's trio of premium 2022 wines

Photo: Meyer winemaker Chris Carson

The latest release from Meyer Family Vineyards at Okanagan Falls showcases three wines from the 2022 vintage, one of the best years in this century.

“The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June,” the winery’s notes say. “We had beautiful flowering from late June into early July, which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler, slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time …”

The total wine grape production in British Columbia in 2022 boomed to 43,836 short tons compared with 31,470 short tons in 2021. It meant wineries made a lot of very good wine in 2022, which has now turned out to be something of a blessing. The severe cold in December, 2022, reduced production by 50% in the 2023 harvest while the even harder freeze in January this year has virtually eliminated the 2024 grape crop. Stock up on the 2022 vintage while the wines remain on the market.

Here are notes on three premium Meyer wines.

Meyer Micro Cuvée Chardonnay 2022 ($70 for 322 cases). The fruit for this wine is from the winery’s Old Main Road Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. The vines were planted in 1996. The gently-pressed juice had a long, cool ferment in stainless steel. The must then was transferred into French oak (50% new) and left 11 months on the lees. The wine selected for Micro Cuvée represents the best barrels. The result is an elegant wine beginning with aromas of lemon, mandarin orange, vanilla and honey. On the rich and fruity palate, there are flavours of peach, apple and orange. The finish is persistent. 93.

Meyer Micro Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022 ($70 for 350 cases). The fruit is from the winery’s McLean Creek Road Vineyard at Okanagan Falls. There are three blocks in the vineyard with differing aspects to create subtle differences in the flavour profiles of the grapes. This wine was made with 75% Pommard Clone 91 and 25% Dijon Clone 115. Winemaker Chris Carson selected three new 500-litre French oak puncheons and three one-year-old puncheons for the blend, aging the wine there for 11 months. This is a very attractive wine – silky on the palate, with aromas and flavours of strawberry and cherry. 93.

Meyer Old Block Pinot Noir 2022 ($55 for 517 cases). The fruit is from the McLean Creek Road Vineyard, where “old block” was planted in 1994. The fruit went into open-top fermenters where, after a cold soak, it was fermented with indigenous yeast. After a post-ferment maceration, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels (40% new) for 11 months of aging. The wine begins with aromas of cherry and vanilla. The palate is bold, with flavours of cherry, plum and spice, with a hint of forest floor on the finish. 91.