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Opens with complex aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and butterscotch. The alcohol provides a round, full mouth feel which is supported by the subtle richness of toasty vanilla. The tangy acidity leads to a dry, crisp, refreshing finish.
Winemaker's Notes:
The "Moira" Vineyard, located on the Beamsville Bench, contains calciferous clay soils ideally suited to Burgundian varieties. 3.8 ha of the 6 ha of arable land on this farm (the other 6 ha is Niagara Escarpment protected area) was planted to a field selection of chardonnay clones in 1996. Sustainably farmed since planting, the Moira was certified organic in 2004. The vintage was exceptional for Burgundian varieties such as chardonnay, cool through most of the summer with a burst of heat just prior to harvest producing grapes with both great sugars and acid.
Meticulous canopy management and multiple passes of aggressive thinning ensured both the best quality fruit and the success of our organic program. The grapes were selectively hand harvested on the 17th through the 23rd of October at 23.0° brix, 8.5 g/l acidity and 3.1 pH, then whole-cluster pressed to a maximum of 1.2 atmospheres yielding 28 hl/ha. The juice was cold-settled and racked then fermented and aged in 300L medium toast, tight grained, Vosge oak barrels (20% new) from Burgundy tonnelleries Berthomieu, Ermitage and Mercury. The wine remained in barrel and on the lees for a full year, including 6 months of weekly stirring. All barrels went through full malolactic fermentation. Only select barrels were chosen for bottling on November 18th 2006. Drink now until 2012.
Food Pairings:
Rich enough to enjoy on its own or with a very broad variety of foods. Think of wild salmon in pastry, with fragrant herbs like rosemary, tarragon and dill. Try it with a mustard-glazed pork roast with oven-roasted parsnips. Or try trout on leeks and wilted greens in butter.
Wine Reviews:
"This impressive Chardonnay comes from the first harvest of grapes after the Moira Vineyard received its organic certification in 2004. Moira Chardonnays are always noted for their texture and richness of flavour, and this is no different. Best of all, that round mouth feel is matched by bright, balancing acidity and a remarkable, cleansing citrus note on the finish." - Vines Magazine
“This was the wine of the tasting – straw colour; spicy butterscotch and pineapple nose; full-bodied Chassagne-Montrachet style with lively acidity and great length. *****” Tony Aspler
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Last Updated: 02-March-08
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