2018 was a warm vintage; the fruit was fully ripe with excellent concentration and high Brix, resulting in a firm, medium-bodied, full octane Chardonnay at 12.5% alcohol. Aged 9 months in French oak (plus one barrel each new Hungarian and Bulgarian oak) and bottle aged for a year before release, this is a fabulous example of Ontario Chardonnay. Concentrated heritage apple notes (think Cox's Orange Pippin, not Gala) are balanced with subtle oak tones on the nose. Suggestions of apple and barely ripe pear continue on the palate with subtle hints of lime leaves or zest. This is a steely Chard with clean edgy acidity to balance the weight of the alcohol. Delicious on its own, but practically begs for a crumbly aged cheddar, a white wine Coq au Vin or seared scallops with beurre blanc.
