I got my hands on the spring lineup from Westcott – I realize we’re now in the heat of summer – but I’ve been busy so I haven’t had a chance to write about them yet. One of the highlights from our lockdown summer in 2020 was getting a chance to get reacquainted with the wines from Westcott. For a winery that is largely staking it’s reputation on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay there is definitely a lot to be excited about in the current portfolio. Bubbles and Rosé show just how versatile these two grapes can be.
2017 Méthode Traditionnelle Brilliant – $39.99 – ****+ – Sparkling wine from Ontario is fab – the jury has already spoken on that… But it’s the people who are working hard to elevate these wines to the next level that I want to raise a glass for. For someone who lives for Blanc de Blanc from Ontario I’m always surprised when I find out that my bubbles leans heavy towards Pinot Noir – this bottle is 66% Pinot and 33% Chardonnay. 30 months on lees – and even though this isn’t as “serious” as some of the other bottles starting to come out from the region with extended time in bottle there is some real complexity in this bottle. Searing acidity is mated with citrus and apple notes making it very approachable if you lack the patience to hold a bottle in the cellar – but should you decide to wait a decade or longer will be kind to this wine.
2019 Butler’s Grant Chardonnay – $47.99 – ****½ – This is the first Chardonnay from the Butlers’ Grant vineyard – I know that for Grant and Carolyn this vineyard is very important for them (ok… fine it’s a bit redundant they love all their vineyards). What we have here is an approachable Chardo that has some serious potential to evolve in bottle. I don’t think many people snag a pricier bottle and think – I’m going to take this home and crush it … but some do. If you do – here are my instructions for you. Don’t chill this too much – Give it a half hour out of the fridge to warm up – and make sure you pour it into a burgundy glass. You will be rewarded with layers of orchard fruit mated with a satisfying mineral note that comes up through the finish.
2020 Pinot Noir Rosé – $23.99 – **** – I don’t ever want to see the words “grand cru” work their way into the Ontario wine lexicon … BUT – if there was a corner of the province that might be considered Grand Cru – I’d make a strong case for Vinemount Ridge. Is it weird that I’m making this statement before talking about rosé? It shouldn’t be … The elegance, intensity, and crushability of this wine is off the charts. It’s time we treat rosé with the respect it deserves – and it’s clear that winemaker Casey Kulczyk has done that here.
2020 Butler’s Grant Riesling – $18.99 – **** – The thing about a hot summers in Niagara is for cool varieties can have a hard time holding acid. While this definitely screams hot summer – it does have fantastic balance between acid and a bit of sweetness. There is very nice ripe peach aromas and flavours mingling with citrus notes. A surprising finish to this wine was a note of salinity and mineral. This is what I expect when sipping on great Ontario Riesling.
2020 Delphine – $18.99 – ***½ – What you hold in your glass is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Pinot Noir. What’s most exciting about this rosé is the broad texture on the back palate – it really moves to fill your mouth from cheek to cheek. This is brimming with plush strawberry and cherry notes. Balanced with nice acidity – but be warned the texture to this wine does linger on the palate for a few seconds – so this may be a better option for a patio sipper rather than worrying about food.
2020 Lillias Chardonnay – $24.99 – ***½+ – What a wonderful expression of Chardonnay without having any oak at all. Unoaked Chardonnay is something that is very hit and miss in Niagara – but this is all killer and no filler. A mineral note goes from start to finish – the fruit aromas start with citrus leading the way – but it’s juicy, ripe christmas orange. Whispers of mango and pineapple also work their way through. The easiest way to describe this is pure bottled liquid summer.
