2010 Chardonnay Dolomite

VQA Niagara Escarpment

About This Wine:

This wine is named for layers of dolomitic limestone unique to the Niagara Escarpment. Through the forces of erosion, these rock strata have come to enrich the soils of the Escarpment’s benchlands. Originating from selected vineyards along these gentle slopes, this Chardonnay bears the mark of its origins. The calcareous clays of these sites contribute to the citrus character and stony nuances that are the wine’s hallmark.

Origin:

85% Beamsville Bench (Cave Spring Vineyard); 15% Twenty Mile Bench

Soil:

Escarpment Benchlands – limestone-rich clay till over sandstone and shale; Niagara River – gravelly clay loam till over red shale; Creek Shores – clay till over red shale

Composition:

59% Chardonnay, 41% Chardonnay Musqué

Harvest Data:

Harvest Date- Sept. 5 - Oct. 11
Sugar- 21º Brix
Titratable Acidity- 8.4 g/L
pH- 3.35
Yield- 2.75 tonnes/acres (48 hl/ha)

Vinification:

Fermented 70% in stainless steel and 30% in a mix of new and older French oak, with partial malolactic fermentation. The barrel fermented portion remained in oak for 8 months after fermentation.

Bottling Data:

Bottling Date- September 2011
Alc./Vol. - 13 %
Residual Sugar- 5 g/L
Titratable Acidity- 6.45 g/L
pH- 3.58
Production- 575 cs (9L)

Tasting Notes:

The nose is subtle, showing beautifully integrated notes of vanilla, oak, green melon and a hints of fresh butter. Medium in body, the palate opens with spicy oak, followed by notes of ripe apples, nuts and white flowers, underpinned by a cool, stony texture. Typical of the vintage on our Escarpment sites, there is a lingering anise-black licorice character on the finish. This inaugural vintage of Chardonnay Dolomite stands out for its seamless integration and overall refinement.

Taste Profile:

Dry (D)

Serving Suggestions:

Grilled or poached salmon with cream sauce; pan-fried shellfish; chicken pot pie; cheese casseroles; stuffed Cornish hen; lemon-roasted chicken; pork with apples.

Ageability:

Ready for consumption on release, this wine is at its best between 2012 and 2015.

Ontario Retail Price:

$16.95

Ontario Availability:

Winery only
LCBO Item #902610

UPC Barcode: