Mild nose with a lovely golden color. On the mid palate the wine displays some mild apple and pear notes hit almost immediately by strong peppery notes along with some smokiness … The LCBO notes mention citrus zest, and I can get that, although, I would not have mentioned it. On the medium length in finish the wine is nice and dry with some mild citrus notes. There’s definitely some creaminess and some nice complexity to the wine. It was good, but honestly, for the price I expect more from the fruit. In this case I actually think the oaking overwhelmed the fruit. I would give it an 87-88, but wouldn’t buy it again. I do miss the buttery, rich, creamy oaked California chards … From the LCBO web site, check stock:
$29.95 VINTAGES#: 424507
Product Details
The fruit comes from both estate vineyards – the Westcott Home Farm and Butlers’ Grant. The grapes are hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, wild fermented and then aged in French oak for 10 months. I’m finding the Niagara Chards from 2023 to be more robust and giving in their youth and that is on display here in spades with the estate wine and single block Chard reviewed below. The nose shows ripe pear and yellow apples in an opulent style balanced by citrus zest and saline with butterscotch, toasty vanilla and spice. It has a creamy, buttery texture on the palate with baked pear, apple crumble, toasted almonds, lemon tart, baking spices and a luxurious finish. It’s rocking right now and there’s really no need to cellar more than a couple of years. Score – 92. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 26, 2025)
VQA Wines
Essentials Collection
Made In Ontario
More Details
- Release DateSeptember 13, 2025
- Alcohol/Vol13.5%
- Made InOntario, Canada
- ByWestcott
- Sugar Content3 g/L
- VarietalChardonnay
