Tasting Note: I am seriously coming around to Queylus in recent vintages – as the winemaking presents a textural elegance, integration and precision at a level rare in Canada.  Here, the youthful freshness and lightness of the 2024 vintage is adding elan.  It is slightly sweet-edged chardonnay that is satiny smooth, creamy and well balanced. The nose is generous and complex with hazelnut cream (amaretto), lemon meringue, nutmeg and a hint of orange blossom. Very pretty and not too oak heavy.  It is medium bodied, with some internal energy and fine acidity. The length is outstanding. Very seductive now but this should shimmer nicely into the early 2030s

Backgrounder:  Domaine Queylus is the project of a group of Quebec investors and has been French-focused since the beginning. It began in good hands with Quebec-raised Thomas Bachelder as the first winemaker. The winery itself is off the beaten path atop the Niagara Escarpment in the far reaches of the Vinemont Ridge sub-appellation. Today the winemaking team is comprised of the dynamic duo of Kelly Mason, head winemaker and owner of Mason Vineyards, and assistant winemaker Brooke Husband, a graduate of the Niagara College Winery and Viticulture program, who in 2023, she was awarded The Paul Pender Rising Star Award at the Ontario Wine Awards. This wine was created in honour of partner Champlain Charest, one of Quebec’s most famous restaurateurs and wine collectors.  It was 100% wild fermented and aged 16 to 18 months in neutral French oak. 

Accolades: Gold National Wine Awards of Canada 2026