Mar 8, 2009

Tasting notes, Wines of Le Clos Jordanne

Since our website is currently unavailable, below are the wine tasting notes for the wines we'll be tasting at our March 17th tasting event of Le Clos Jordanne.

Chardonnay 2006, Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard $40
Single vineyard. Bright yellow straw colour; toasty, vanilla, orange and apple notes with a marked minerality; well structured and firm, full on the palate, well balanced with good length. “Likened to a Peregrine Falcon it seems to have more finesse and style with a floral bouquet with a touch of vanilla and butter on the nose and light fruit flavours of pear, apple and lemon peel on the palate with an acidity and minerality on the finish.” Chuck Byers, chuckbyers.blogspot.com/2008/10/le-clos-jordanne-flys-high.html David Lawrason: "vivacious and vibrant". 91 pts. Oct. 7, 2008). Tony Aspler: 4.5/5 stars. www.tonyaspler.com, A Wine Lover's Diary.

Chardonnay 2006, Village Reserve $40.
This 2006 Village Chardonnay, sourced from several of the estate's vineyards, is simply stellar. Deep in colour, this medium full-bodied wine is packed with aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, peach, vanilla, butterscotch and hazelnut, all balanced by fresh acidity and leading to a very long finish. Tony Aspler: 4 /5 stars.

Chardonnay 2006, Le Grand Clos $65.
“If there were to be a Canadian Grand Cru Chablis but better, this would be it! Vanilla, pear, citrus, butter give way to a strong mineral flintiness that can be described as edgy to say the least. This Harpy Eagle of a wine needs time, and if given it, will reward with luscious flavours that at this time can only be imagined.” Chuck Byers, chuckbyers.blogspot.com/2008/10/le-clos-jordanne-flys-high.html

Pinot Noir 2005, La Petite Vineyard $35.
Medium ruby; sturdy, black raspberry and mineral nose; ripe fruit with apparent oak; firm structure with a chalky finish and evident tannins. “The lightest of the single-vineyard wines from a sandier block east of the main holdings. Moderately deep, ruby-garnet colour. Nose is lifted, very spicy and savoury with ripe sour cherry (not big black cherry) and a touch of earthy beetroot character. Feels lighter to mid-weight, firm, almost tart and sour, with grip on the finish. There is considerable, slightly green tannin. Nice focus, some finesse; very good to excellent length. Score - 88.” (David Lawrason, http://www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)

Pinot Noir 2006, La Petite Vineyard $40.
Situated on sandy soil, this vineyard is quite small (3.5 acres) but delivers some of the most perfumed wines in Le Clos generally. Ruby colour with a minerally, raspberry and rose petal nose accented with cinnamon; very elegant and feminine with a lovely mouth-feel and good length. A seductive wine. Tony Aspler 4.5/5 stars. “Elegant and stylish with floral and berry bouquet it has rich red fruit on the palate with less minerality than the other vineyards but a good acidity that remains on the finish. The acidity will integrate further with the wine in time to make this wine a lovely piece of art.”, Chuck Byers.

Pinot Noir 2006, Village Reserve $40
The Village Reserve is the best value of the five le Clos Jordanne pinots in 2006. It combines young vine fruit from the large Talon Ridge site atop the Escarpment, and de-selected barrels from other single vineyards. It is the second deepest coloured of the five and may age as well as any. The nose is fairly intense with some piquant, floral cran-raspberry fruit and a cedary, earthy background. It's mid-weight, sinewy and quite tannic but has some mid-palate elegance and good flavour integration on the finish. Very good to excellent length. Score - 88. (David Lawrason, www.davidlawrason.com, Dec. 2008)

Pinot Noir 2006, Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard $40
Consistently Le Clos's most expressive and provocative Pinot Noir, the single vineyard Le Clos Jordanne offers more on the nose than the top-of-the-line Le Grand Clos at this early stage. The floral element on the nose (suggestive of dried roses and violets) is characteristic of the vineyard. On the palate, there are layers of earthy mineral and savoury flavours and vibrant red fruit notes. This is a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir, and represents a new level of intensity for the Le Clos wines.
Score - 4 .5/ 5 stars. Christopher Waters, www.watersandwine.com, Nov. 1, 2008.

Pinot Noir 2006, Le Grand Clos $70
The wait for the much-anticipated 2006 vintage of Le Clos Jordanne's wines is now over. A superstar among wine critics and customer favourite since its inaugural vintage, the Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir is bound to generate as much excitement and acclaim with its latest vintage. From its lovely plum, blackcurrant and floral aromas to its alluring fruit to its long, focused, minerally finish, this super-premium Pinot is one of the finest and purest expressions of Niagara terroir.

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