2016 JCR Rosehall Vineyard CHARDONNAY
VQA PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
ESTATE GROWN AND BOTTLED
750 mL
Availability : LCBO Vintages 326512, Winery Retail, Online
Awards
GOLD National Wine Awards of Canada
2016 Vintage
The 2016 vintage will be remembered for the hot, drought like conditions that Prince Edward County farmers endured. While short droughty periods in summer are common, the duration without a rain of over 5 mm extended to 10 weeks at Rosehall Run. Even with this parched summer our Chardonnay vines sailed through with very minimal water stress – a testament to the moisture holding capacity of our heavy clay soils and vineyards that are over a decade and a half old with a well-developed root system. The payoff is in the bottle: the intensity of flavour is amazing,
Critical Acclaim
“This JCR bottling of Chardonnay from the warm 2016 vintage was fully fermented in 500 L oak puncheons. It was aged in 60% new oak, a mix of tight French and Extra-Tight Caucasus Mountain wood for 16 months sur lie with minimal batonnage. It has a highly mineralized and complex nose of apple, vanilla toast, river rock, pear and integrated spice notes. Incredible how fresh this wine is on the palate considering the heat that summer and fall. The flavours of rich apple and pear with citrus accents are intense but well integrated with just the right amount of spice and mineral notes through the vibrant finish. A beautiful Chardonnay that speaks to the terroir of The County. Bravo! Score 92 Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com
“The top Rosehall chardonnay is from maturing estate vines. It shows quite lovely aromas of ripe peach, corn, custard, peat smoke, hazelnut and and spice. It is medium weight, lively with tartish lemon acidty yet ripe and sweet-edged. There is some richness due to the warmer 2016 vintage. Excellent length; very good complexity.” Score 91 David Lawrason, WineAlign.com
“First and foremost there is so much charm here, from great fruit, mostly orchards of apple and citrus, then just a hint towards tropical. All impressive from a pottery vineyard coming of age into its later teens and capable of retaining soluble nutrients during stressed times. An elemental and kissed wet stone design runs through like veins carrying white blood cells to the fruit's organs and extremities and so the drought vintage was no worthy adversary to the JCR. Dan Sullivan's top chardonnay comes replete with high level, quality and pointed fineness of acidity.”
Score 91 Michael Godel, WineAlign.com
“Baked apple and pit fruit aromas spill from the glass. A rush of tang-laden citrus and green pineapple streak over the palate interwoven with mineral tones, Key lime and yellow plum. It’s quite balanced on the palate and finishes crisp, clean, refreshing. This showcases wonderful focus; it’s linear, but not lean, along with good balance and exhilarating finish. Pour with freshly shucked briny oysters or California sushi rolls.” Score 90 Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com