2027 Cellars - Chardonnay, Frontier Block, Grimsby Hillside, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara (2021)

TASTING NOTES

Chablis-ish in style, with a sour cream and lemon pie vibe. Strident acidity with a tree nut and lees-y finish. Yellow apple, toasted almonds, vanilla bean and spice, flinty/stony notes.

Hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, wild fermented (but no malo) and aged for 18 months in 20% new Burgundian oak.

The first grapes on this farm were planted 150 years ago by the Cline family, who grew Delaware and Concord grapes, among other crops. After some evolutions, the site passed onto John Lenko and his son William - the precursors to the sorely missed Daniel Lenko Estate Winery.

The Escarpment funnels breezes from the west that allow the grapes to ripen slowly, developing character and complexity. Its dense vegetation promotes cooler temperatures for the blocks along its base, helping the grapes preserve acidity. It is thought the mineral-infused groundwater ensures the vines rarely face drought stress  - and somehow add mineral character. 

The site enables some of Ontario’s top winemakers to make thrilling wines from its vines, including Ilya Senchuk (Leaning Post), Thomas Bachelder (Bachelder wines), Kevin Panagapka (2027 Cellars), Kelly Mason (Mason Vineyard), Mackenzie Brisbois (Trail Estate), etc.