Tasting Note This is not a single-vineyard wine but I had to include it: a) because it is great value; b) because tells the tale of Tawse chardonnay perfectly. It is somewhat less aromatically intense than the single-vineyard wines tasted at the same time, with green pear, subtle nutmeg wood, vanillin and a hint of butter from malolactic fermentation. It is medium weight, slimmer, with firm acidity. Overall, quite polished, bright and refined with very good to excellent length. Its 2017 counterpart is ageing slowly, still showing pear, lemon, spice, and less tertiary mushroom. It is lighter, quite linear and stony and I almost prefer this to 2023. 

Backgrounder The 2023 Estate Chardonnay is a barrel selection blended from each of the estate Chardonnay blocks: 41% David’s Block, 40% Robyn’s Block, and 19% Quarry Road Vineyard. Because these sites span two sub-appellations, the new West Niagara label comes into play. The blend was assembled to highlight the mineral character of Quarry Road, the freshness of David’s Block, and the weight and texture from the old vines of Robyn’s Block. It was barrel fermented with indigenous yeast and completed full malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 28% new.