Hidden Bench, Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench

This is a beautiful Chardonnay in a real good spot at 7 years of age. Clear, pale yellow in the glass. Seductive and aromatic aromas. Flinty. Ripe orchard fruit and rich melted butter. Textural mouthfeel with powerful acidity. Flavours are initially oak dominant but after some time in glass there is an evolution to ripe peach and sweet citrus. Exceptionally long finish. Drink to 2026

Antique golden yellow. Very clear even though it is unfiltered. Initial nose is very tropical with banana and pineapple. A hint of butterscotch, phenol, green herbs and oyster shell on the nose. Medium bodied that is quite a bit fuller on the front than the back of the palate where it becomes a bit dilute. Similar flavours as on the nose but not as sweet. More yellow fleshy fruits than tropical and decent acidity with a fairly long finish. Seems …

Un peu citronné, doux, un peu effacé mais très agréable.

Super nez de chardo, en bouche c'est ample avec une pointe d'acidité, manque de longueur mais tout de même solide, RQP -1

PnP. Oak dominates the nose, in a not unpleasant way, with little else breaking through. This did not change over the evening. Smooth mouthfeel, crisp with nice balanced acidity. Body on the light side with lemon, citrus and buttery notes on the palate. Short finish. A nice sipper but for the money expected more flavour and complexity.

Pale gold, slow sheets of alcohol coat the glass. On the nose there is flint, smoke, citrus fruit and stone fruits, with a subtle perfume. The palate is full, round and smooth, with oak, more citrus (mandarin orange) and has a mouth coating feel.

Tasted Double Blind. This is nice and clearly high quality. Seems like it could be warmer climate old world, or possibly new world. The fruit is primarily citrus driven, with some kiwi,and with hints of tropical fruit poking through. Great acid on the palate but a slight sweet fruit note kept me wondering if this is new world.