Cave Spring Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 20060
This wine originates predominately from vines grown in clay till soils along the benchlands of the Niagara Escarpment. Vinified mainly in stainless steel to capture the crispness and acidity typical of this area, a touch of barrel ageing imparts richness and complexity.
ORIGINS: 60% Lake Ontario shoreline; 40% Niagara Escarpment.
COMPOSITION: 82% Chardonnay, 18% Chardonnay Musqué.
SOILS: Clay loam till overlying red shale; clay till overlying shale and sandstone.
YIELD: 4 tonnes/acre (75 hl/ha).
VINIFICATION: Cool fermentation in stainless steel with partial malolactic fermentation and 10 months of ageing sur lie in the tanks.
STYLE: Captures the crisp fruit and brisk acidity typical of Chardonnay grown in Niagara’s heavy, shale and limestone-based clays.
AGEABILITY: This vintage is drinking at its best 2003 through 2006.
FOOD MATCHES: Grilled salmon; pan-fried shellfish; roasted chicken; stuffed Cornish hen; grilled or smoked pork; cheese casseroles.
BOTTLING DATA: Alc./Vol.- 13.5 %, R.S.- 2.0 g/L, T.A.- 5.2 g/L, pH- 3.47