2017 Chardonnay Musqué

VQA Beamsville Bench

About This Wine:

This wine originates from our Cave Spring Vineyard, located on a hillside of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario known as the Beamsville Bench. Made from the unique Musqué clone of Chardonnay, it was vinified in stainless steel to preserve the fragrant aromas and spicy muscat-like overtones that are the clone’s hallmark.

Origin:

A single block of 17-year-old vines at Cave Spring Vineyard

Soil:

Stony, limestone-rich clay and clay loam till overlying shale and sandstone.

Composition:

89% Chardonnay Musqué, 11% Gewürztraminer

Harvest Data:

Harvest Date- Oct. 26 - Nov. 7
Sugar- 23º Brix
Titratable Acidity- 8.08 g/L
pH- 3.48
Yield- 3.26 tonnes/acre

Vinification:

Cool fermentation in stainless steel, with malolactic fermentation inhibited, to preserve this clone’s aromatics and acidity. CLONE: The Musqué clone, native to southern Burgundy, is known for its spicy, muscat-like flavours.

Bottling Data:

Bottling Date- March 2018
Alc./Vol. 13.5%
Residual Sugar- 3.4 g/L
Titratable Acidity- 7.35 g/L
pH- 3.69
Production- 905 cs. (9L)

Tasting Notes:

Dominated on the nose by the clone’s muscat-tinged orange-blossom aromas plus a cocktail of tangerine, melon and pear; the palate is very full and oily, yet precise and refreshing; the attack is crisp, spicy and lychee-like, while the mid-palate softens and becomes very viscous; the warmth of the wine’s considerable body carries intense spice and orange marmalade flavours very long on the finish.

Taste Profile:

Dry (D)

Serving Suggestions:

Root vegetable soup; fish paella; bouillabaisse; pan-roasted or grilled grouper, halibut or sea bass; sweet and sour pork; pasta primavera with olive oil; firm cow or sheep milk cheese (e.g., Appenzeller, Jarlsberg, Gouda)

Ageability:

Best appreciated in the first 3 years from vintage for it’s powerful, one-of-a-kind aromatics and generous yet crisply balanced mouth feel.

Ontario Retail Price:

$17.95

Availability:

Winery Only, LCBO Vintages (#246579)
LCBO Item #246579

Reviews & Accolades:

WINE ALIGN: As expected, Cave Spring 's chardonnay musqué fits the varietal character perfectly. This incarnation seems more lush and voluptuous than the norm, almost honeyed in its texture. Peppery and floral with a mid-weight to full-bodied profile. A hedonistic treat. 90 points, Sara d’Amato