2008 Mottiar Chardonnay VQA

From the Mottiar Family Vineyard, situated on the upper slopes of the Beamsville Bench off Quarry Road. Abandoned for more than a decade, the farm was purchased by Malivoire Winemaker Shiraz Mottiar in 2003. One hectare was replanted to Chardonnay, using four Dijon clones. At an elevation 30-45m higher than Malivoire’s estate vineyard, this site promises distinct terroir, as the soils rest on different layers of Niagara Escarpment limestone and sandstone. The 2008 vintage offers aromas of asian pear, baked apple, lemon zest, clementine and smoky caramel. Rich but agile on the palate with tropical island flavours of pineapple, banana and cocoanut underscored by buttery vanilla, it displays the trademark minerality of its fruit’s birthplace.


purchase

2009 Guilty Men Sauvignon Blanc
2009 M2 Small Lot Gamay
2008 Icewine Gewürztraminer
2008 Icewine Riesling
2008 Mottiar Chardonnay
2008 Niagara Escarpment Pinot Noir
2008 Old Vines Foch
2007 Pinot Noir

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Winemaker's Notes

The 2008 Chardonnay is the sophomore vintage from this vineyard. Hand harvested on October 1st and 2nd at 20.8 brix, 7.4g/l titratable acid and 3.2 pH, the grapes were whole-cluster pressed, the juice settled, and drained to six French oak barrels. Spontaneous fermentation was encouraged with full malo-lactic fermentation. The barrels were lees-stirred monthly for five months and left to age on the lees for a further eleven months before bottling in March 2010.


Food Pairings

Roasted chicken rubbed with fresh herbs and butter. Sauteed sea scallops or pan seared salmon fillet in parmesan crust.