Jean Parisot 2017 – Ta’ Betta

Jean Parisot is an oak-fermented Chardonnay produced by Ta’ Betta. Although it is the only white wine produced by this boutique winery, it encapsulates superb craftsmanship. We tasted the 2017 vintage and can confirm that this is one of the finest Maltese Chardonnay ever tasted, hence the price tag is well justified.

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From the producer (TaBetta.com):

The decision to include a white in this boutique estates’ repertoire was one which took much debate and thinking. It was unclear whether in such a hot climate we could make a notable white wine with aging potential following the estate’s philosophy. Today, the decision to plant some two thousand five hundred vines of Chardonnay on the last tract of land available on the estate is considered one of the most rewarding decisions taken as the results have been surprisingly pleasing.

This oak-fermented Chardonnay, produced against all odds, is a complex wine which conveys apricot, white fig and vanilla to balance the acidity and alcohol, which in some years exceeds 14%vol. This is a big wine, somewhat amber in colour reflecting the hot climate and ripeness of the fruit, big in stature at least as much as our reds.

The Chardonnay vines were planted in 2005 and the yield is restricted to up to 1.6kg per vine.

This wine is best stored and served at a temperature of 12^oC and complements a range of cheese, savoury pastries, foie gras, cold cuts of meat, fish and seafood.

From the experimental vintages dating back since 2008, it is not unreasonable to expect this wine to last at least 5 years, in some exceptional years ten years as well. The few remaining bottles of 2008 are still fresh, and all vintages since 2012 still exhibit exciting promise.

Up to 4,000 bottles are produced annually depending on yield and weather conditions.

See more of our wine reviews in our Wines section.