Tawse Chardonnay Lenko Vineyard Beamsville Bench VQA

Terrific. As others have said, Chablis-like. No overt oak, a beautiful melange of stone fruit and citrus, a whiff of reduction on the nose. One of the best Ontario Chards I’ve tried.

A bold nose of buttery peach compote, green mango, vanilla, creme fraiche, and toasted hazelnut. The mouth feel is full of creamy fruits but balanced by tart acidity. The push-pull of body and tension is wonderful. It finishes with tart key lime and a big lick of salty limestone. So clean and long. Really everything you could ask for here. Still has time to go. Lenko Vineyard Chardonnay was planted in 1959 and are the oldest Chard vines on the …

Pale yellow/hay, clear. Aromas showing ash, stoney minerality, lemon and lemon rind, ripe apples and a touch of tropical fruits on the finish. Medium bodied, light creamy vanilla and oakiness. Fruit follows aromas. Drinks more like a Chablis style. Smooth, northern cool fruit style. Good hit of stoney minerality as well.

Wonderful wine, drinking well now. Good medium bodied but not heavy. Opens with soft ripe fruits like limes, lemony citrus, lemon peel, nice soft creaminess. Drying. Definite but subtle oak influences here. Well balanced, well made.

3 days in Niagara; 1/4/2019-1/6/2019 : 1959 vines. Lime, lemon, melon and grapefruit on the nose. Good structure on the palate from moderate oak influence, has some ripe fruit and some texture to help give it interest. Good length as well. One of the better whites of the tasting today.

An oak-lover's chardonnay. Big and buttery with medium acidity. The wood lingers on the finish and dominates any fruit that may be present.