The short answer is yes, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay is oaked. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, located in Oliver, British Columbia, Canada, produces a Chardonnay that undergoes oak barrel aging as part of its winemaking process. This imparts notes of vanilla, toast, and spice to the wine that are characteristic of oak’s influence.
Overview of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia. The winery was established in 1993 by Jim and Midge Wyse along with their son Chris and his wife Bertie. Their first wines were produced in 1996 after planting vines on their estate vineyard starting in 1993.
The winery is named after the Burrowing Owl bird which can be found living on the vineyard property. These small owls make their nests underground in burrows. Burrowing Owl has become known for producing premium wines from grapes grown in their estate vineyards.
Their wine portfolio includes Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Meritage red blend wines. Burrowing Owl operates with the philosophy of producing small batch wines from low yield vines to capture the terroir of their vineyards. They focus on sustainable practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process.
Winemaking Process for Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Here are some key points about how Burrowing Owl approaches the winemaking process specifically for their Chardonnay:
- Grapes are hand-picked and sorted to select the best clusters.
- The grapes undergo a gentle whole cluster pressing to extract juice.
- The juice is cold settled and then racked clean to start fermentation.
- Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels at low temperatures.
- After fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften acidity.
- The Chardonnay is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, with a mix of new and older barrels used each vintage.
- After barrel aging, the different lots are blended, fined, filtered, and bottled.
It’s the use of French oak barrels for fermenting and aging a portion of the Chardonnay that results in the oaked character. The oak barrels contribute flavors of vanilla, toast, spice, and subtle oak tannins to the wine over time.
Tasting Notes for Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Here are some common tasting notes associated with the Burrowing Owl Chardonnay:
- Color: Light golden straw.
- Aroma: Stone fruits like peach and nectarine along with citrus notes of lemon and lime zest. Hints of vanilla, toast, and nutmeg from oak aging.
- Flavor: Medium-bodied with flavors of golden apple, pear, and Meyer lemon. The oak contributes undertones of cinnamon, nutmeg, brioche, and hazelnut. Well-balanced with crisp acidity.
- Finish: Medium in length with lingering notes of citrus fruit and subtle oak spices.
The oak barrel influence comes through on both the nose and palate with aromas of vanilla and baking spice. It adds texture and dimension to the bright fruit flavors. Reviewers often describe the oak notes as well-integrated and complementary rather than overpowering.
Food Pairings for Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Here are some tasty food pairing options that complement the notes of citrus, stone fruit, and oak in the Burrowing Owl Chardonnay:
- Seafood dishes like halibut, sole, crab cakes, or lobster
- Roast chicken or turkey with lemon-herb rub
- Pasta with creamy Alfredo sauce or pesto
- Risotto with mushrooms, roasted butternut squash, or lemon-dill flavors
- Goat cheese or aged cheddar
- Grilled pork chops with peach salsa
The medium body and bright acidity make it very food friendly. The oak notes pair nicely with foods containing butter or cream. Citrusy flavors complement fresh herbs and lemon-accented dishes.
Awards for Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay has consistently earned praise, awards, and high ratings over the years. Here are some notable accolades:
- Gold medal – All Canadian Wine Championships (multiple years)
- Gold medal – Chardonnay du Monde Competition (multiple years)
- Gold medal – National Wine Awards of Canada (multiple years)
- 91 points – John Schreiner (2018 vintage)
- 90 points – WineAlign (2015 vintage)
- 4 stars out of 5 – Michael Pinkus (2016 vintage)
Their Chardonnay has consistently earned gold medals at national and international wine competitions, demonstrating the high quality of this oaked Chardonnay.
Price and Availability of Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Here are some details on where to find Burrowing Owl Chardonnay and typical pricing:
- Winery retail price: $24.99 CAD per 750ml bottle
- Online price: $21.99 – $28.99 CAD per bottle
- Restaurants: Typically $40 – $60 per bottle on wine lists
- Widely distributed across Canada in wine shops and grocery stores
- US availability limited to certain states like New York and California
- International availability in a few markets like Japan, Taiwan, and China
As a premium Chardonnay from a well-regarded Okanagan winery, it retails above entry-level Chardonnay. But prices remain very reasonable compared to the costs for similar quality barrel-aged Chardonnays from regions like California or Burgundy in France.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay clearly fits into the oaked Chardonnay category based on their winemaking methods. The use of French oak barrel aging leads to complex notes of vanilla, spice, toast, and subtle tannin in the finished wine. Yet the oak remains balanced and complements the vibrant fruit flavors of citrus and stone fruit. This explains the wine’s consistently high ratings, awards, and praise as a premium Okanagan Chardonnay.
