Production: 45 Cases
Availability: Winery direct and select restaurant accounts
Vintage: 2016
Variety or Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Designation: Willms Vineyard
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Vine Age: 12-22 years
Soil: Clay and loam with some sand, limestone and seashells.
Wine Style: Dry
Oak: French oak fermented and aged for 10 months.
Alcohol content: 12.5%
PH: 3.63
TA: 5.1 g/L
Ageing: Drink now through 2028
Serving Temperature: 10 – 16 degrees Celsius
Winemaking:
These grapes were harvested by hand with specific timing that incorporated ripe fruit flavours and fresh acidity. We hand
harvested and whole cluster pressed the grapes in our gentle bladder press. A long, slow press cycle was used to allow maximum
juice yield without compromising flavour extraction. The juice was cold settled in a stainless tank before racking into barrels
for alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. The barrels and puncheons were carefully monitored and tasted for 10 months, before
any sulphur additions took place. After aging was complete, this specific puncheon was selected to be kept separate and was racked
into tank. This special puncheon was gently fined and lightly filtered to preserve the wine without stripping the flavours and textures,
before bottling.
Appearance:
Bright straw with a clear hue.
Aroma:
A focused aroma of citrus, green apple and honeydew melon, which unite with underlying notes of vanilla, wet stone and
Bartlett pear. A lifted vanilla, toasty note and hint of creamed butter also shine. Finally, subtle underlying aromas of honeysuckle,
golden plums and graham wafer crumbs complete this intense aromatic profile.
Palate:
This intense, concentrated, ripe and round wine is clean, fruity and bright fruits that drive the complex layers of flavour are
showcased on the palate. Honeyed apples, citrus, melon, plum and pear. A focused and full mouthfeel that mirrors the aromatics
with subtle barrel toast, vanilla, green apple and wet stone on the palate. The mid-palate delivers layers of texture with vanilla, toast,
biscuit and citrus pith. A Chardonnay with bolstering balance and a smooth, medium-long finish of balanced acidity and minerality
that lingers and refreshes.
