Although more oak was used than in previous vintages, the fruit dominates. Aromas and flavours abound suggesting pear, baked apple, grapefruit and orange zest. Well balanced, this wine is creamy with a crisp, long finish.

Winemaker's Notes:
This Chardonnay was sourced from our two vineyards, the "Moira" and the Malivoire Estate vineyards both on the Beamsville Bench. Two thirds of the fruit came from our sustainably farmed Estate vineyard, planted to Dijon clones in 1998 at a vine density of 3625 vines per hectare.

Each vineyard was individually hand harvested as each block reached optimum maturity at an average of 21.0° brix, 9.0 g/l titratable acidity and a pH of 3.2. The fruit was whole cluster pressed to a maximum of 1.1 atmospheres. Then the juice was cold-settled and racked. 36% was barrel fermented, while the remaining 64% was stainless steel fermented, all completing malolactic fermentation. Barrels chosen were made from Vosge oak, all sourced from Burgundy tonnelleries Berthomieu, Billon, Ermitage and Mercury. After eight months of ageing on the lees, these two treatments were blended. The finished wine of 12.5% alcohol was bottled under Stelvin® closure on June 25, 2007. Drink now until 2010.

Food Pairings:
This wine can enhance your enjoyment of a variety of foods with distinctive flavours. Lobster, splake, sable fish, fruit-infused roasted pork, poultry or pasta with white sauce, and mild cheeses are cheerful companions.

Recent Reviews:
“Medium straw colour; toasty oak, spicy, green apple bouquet; richer on the palate than the nose suggests with spicy pineapple flavours and lively acidity. Great length. ****½". Tony Aspler

"The 06 Chardonnay is fresh, lean, classy and suited to summer aperitif or a patio lunch”. Billy Munnelly

"Screw cap. Pungent licorice and fennel notes here again, with slightly bruised fruit character, pear, apple, which opens with aeration to reveal fresher fruit character. Dry, medium body, medium + acid, full malolactic fermentation but retains the marked acidity of the vintage. Tight and taught finish with minerality emerging; very good length. Decant this if your serving tonight". Score 89+ - John Szabo (May 15-08)

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Last Updated:11-June-08