Suvla Organic Chardonnay 2016
One of the reasons why I love Turkey’s Suvla Wines is not only that they make wine at all price levels. In fact many of Turkey’s larger wineries do that. But not all seem to care if the wine is good. That’s what makes Suvla stand out. Their wines range from about $5 USD (at the current exchange rate) to $60. And they’re all good. Which is why I trusted them enough to try their new organic Chardonnay.
Well, I say ‘new’. But it was new last year when I first drank it! I have a huge love-hate relationship with Chardonnay. When I first started drinking wine the popular thing to do in America was to oak the life out of wine. All wine. But the crimes against Chardonnay were the most egregious and have scarred me. Turkey has a little bit of that problem too. But like America, many winemakers are coming around and allowing the fruit to speak for itself with only a helping hand from oak. I will, however, always prefer an unoaked Chardonnay. Happily for me, the Suvla Organic Chardonnay is exactly that.
The Story of Suvla Wines
Suvla is a family owned wine producer established by Pınar Ellialtı and Selim Zafer Ellialtı in 2003. The vineyards are nestled in the historical Peninsula of Gallipoli, between the North Aegean coast and the Sea of Marmara where they cultivate a wide variety of grapes. The whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir, Petit Verdot, and Pinot Noir. In addition Suvla produces several indigenous grape varieties, including Kınalı Yapıncak and Karasakız. In 2013 Suvla switched to organic viticulture. As a result they received a certification of ‘Good Agriculture Practice – GAP’.
Suvla has 11 wine labels. Like many countries Turkey does not actually control what “reserve” means and when you can use the term on your label. So there are some cases here in which the winemaker just slaps it on the label. But not with Suvla. Suvla is a quality, conscientious producer and you can trust what they put on the label.
The Suvla Series
Behramlı, Bigali, and Kabetepe: Young blend wines from different, single vineyards. No oak. No bottle aging. Suggested consumption is 1-2 years time after the bottling.
Suvla: Young and crisp wines. Partially oak matured. No bottle aging. Suggested consumption is 1-3 years time after the bottling.
Suvla Reserve: Mature, strong, well balanced reserve series of wines. Oak barrel maturing 3-12 months, bottle aging for 3-6 months. Suitable for storing 1-5 year.
Suvla Grand Reserve: Mature, well balanced special reserve line of Suvla. Winemaker’s special signature. Oak barrel maturing for 6-18 months, bottle aging for 6-24 months. Suitable for storing 1-10 years.
Suvla Sparkling: Traditional method Blanc de Blanc Kınalı Yapıncak and traditional method Blanc de Noirs Karasakız
Suvla Organic Chardonnay 2016 Tasting Notes:
The aromas here are as bright as the straw color of the wine. Very fruit forward with loads of tropical fruits, citrus, and peach. The palate with its zesty acid and nice, medium finish is much more developed than the nose. It has the white peaches and citrus from the nose but also added savory, herbal flavors. Sage perhaps. Whatever it is adds a whole new layer to what was already a nice wine.
Be careful with this one! This is a well-balanced wine. So much so that you do not at all notice the really high alcohol (14% ABV!). So enjoy with caution!