It’s an understatement to say that the wines from 2020 will be highly anticipated. I know for myself as a consumer, and as a writer – I am expecting big things from the usual heavy hitters in Niagara. Was I disappointed when I tasted through the upcoming vintage of the Rusty shed?
The thing that sets 2020 apart from previous hot vintages in Niagara took place at night. In other hot summers like 2016, 2012, and 2010 winemakers were greeted with hot, and dry conditions. It is what you need to grow outstanding concentrated fruit. It is said that great fruit needs to struggle – and those vintages definitely made the vines struggle. What happened at night in 2020 was that the temperatures cooled off. This allowed the vines to take a break from having to deal with the hot weather. As a result the grapes in this beautiful summer managed to hold acidity better than the aforementioned hot summers.
How did this fare for Flat Rock?
2020 Flat Rock the Rusty Shed Chardonnay – $TBD – ****1/2 – In a vintage where expectations are high it is satisfying when a wine delivers the goods. While hot vintages always create high expectations 2020 had something that previous hot vintages did not – acid moderating cool nights. While Chardonnay thrives in the hot Niagara summers, the hot vintages of these wines often lack the longevity the come from the cool summers that leave the fruit with balancing acidity. The aromas push into tropical with notes of mango, pineapple, and ripe peach. These tropical notes are mated with satisfying notes of spice, and just a hint of vanilla. The use of oak is more restrained than I would have anticipated from this vintage – but it’s damned near perfect. From a wine that is consistently all killer and no filler this vintage is definitely standing on the front line – and something that will evolve nicely over the next decade in your cellar.
