2020
PINOT NOIR
BARREL SELECT
Harvest Date: September 30
pH: 3.77
TA: 6.1
Brix: 22.4
Production: 600
Price: $34.00
WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
2020 was an exceptional year in Ontario for grape growing. Winter was relatively warm with little snow and temperatures were above normal for most of February and March and had us all thinking about an early spring. April had different ideas and was cooler than average. All things returned to normal!! However warm conditions were in order from the beginning of May and throughout the summer. The summer was in general warmer than normal with enough moisture to give us great growing conditions The fall / harvest continued to be warm and ideal for good maturity of the grapes and intense flavours.
Grapes were hand picked from Vagner Vineyard in Niagara on the Lake. A warmer site for growing Pinot Noir developing great flavours with beautiful balance. This 1.5 acre block of vines were planted in the late ‘80’s. Fermentation began naturally in small bins with manual punch downs 2-3 times each day. Ferment began to slow down towards the end of ferment and the ferment was completed using a selected yeast. After 24 days on skins the wine was pressed off and moved in to 2nd fill French oak barrels for aging. Malolactic ferment was completed in barrel. The wine was aged for 20 months in the barrels before racking to tank before a light filtration and bottling.
TASTING NOTES:
Bright cherry colour with aromas of ripe bing cherry and raspberry with a note of red citrus . The palate is dry with rich fruit flavours, spice notes and a note on the finish. A beautiful texture with balanced tannins.
2019
PINOT NOIR
BARREL SELECT
Harvest Date: October 10
Average brix at harvest: 21.1
pH: 3.5
TA: 5.8
Production: 1250 bottles
WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
Growing conditions in the spring were quite slow with cooler weather and lots of moisture delaying budbreak and slowing early spring growth. June was warmer, in fact we had some quite hot spells throughout the month giving great flowering conditions. by the end of the month the vines had caught up following the slow start. The rest of the summer was mainly sunny and warm with just enough moisture for steady development of the vines. September was cooler, but mainly sunny giving a great beginning to the harvest season. October was warmer with more moisture and humidity but in general conditions remained favorable for the earlier ripening varieties.
Grapes were hand picked from Vagner Vineyards in Niagara on the Lake. A warmer site for growing Pinot Noir developing great flavours naturally balanced.
Fermentation began naturally in small bins with manual punch downs 2-3 times each day. Ferment began to slow down towards the end of ferment and the ferment was completed using a selected yeast. After 18 days on skins the wine was pressed off and moved in to 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barrels for aging. Malolactic ferment was completed in barrel. The wine was aged for 20 months in the barrels before racking to tank before a light filtration and bottling.
TASTING NOTES:
Bright black cherry colour with aromas of ripe cherry and raspberry with a note of violet. The palate is dry with rich fruit flavours, spice notes and a cooked plum note on the finish. A beautiful texture with balanced tannins.
