The Vintage:

The 2017 vintage started off heavy periodic rainfalls in spring throughout most of the summer months. Luckily, the rainy weather was punctuated by sunny days that allowed the grapes to keep maturing and kept disease pressure under control. Finally, September arrived, and Ontario welcomed steady warm, dry weather. Unseasonably warm, dry conditions continued through October and November, allowing the grapes a welcome break from precipitation and affording time to reach very good ripeness levels.

Tasting Notes:

Crafted in the classic White Bordeaux style, with a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. Golden straw in colour, this blend has a typically grassy nose with aromas of honeycomb, lemon zest, vanilla and a mineral/flint note in the background. The palate is beautifully structured, with minerality, creamy oak, and vibrant citrus all harmoniously put together. A wine with this much character and complexity screams for a good food companion: try it with grilled calamari drizzled with lemon, lobster, roast chicken with sage stuffing or medium bodied cheeses.

Technical Notes:

60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon harvested from vineyards in the temperate Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation in Niagara at an average of 19.5° brix. Grapes came into the winery and were immediately pressed, with the juice being put ‘Zebra’ oak barrels (combination of American and French oak staves) for fermentation at cool temperatures. After primary and malolactic fermentation in the barrel the finished wine left to age on the lees for 20 months. Blended and bottled January 2019.    

Product Description

Vintage: 2017

Varietal: 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon

Appellation: Lincoln Lakeshore

Alcohol: 12.4%

Residual Sugar: 4.5g/L

Acid: 6.8/L