2017 Colio Bricklayer’s Reward ‘20 Barrels’ Chardonnay – Vintages 644609 – $18.95 – ***½+ – This is the first release from Allison Christ, the new winemaker at Colin. A small amount was released through vintages in January of this year. Coming from Niagara on the Lake this feels a little warmer on the nose than any of the other Chardonnay I’ve had a chance to taste from the challenging 2017 vintage. You will find some nice vanilla and baking spice on the nose layered over pineapple and peach. The entirety of this wine was aged in new oak for 10 months – so for those of you that are fans of Chardonnay that doesn’t hide the oak flavours this may be your bottle. Right now this may be lacking a bit of subtlety but I expect in 6-12 months the dominant oak flavours should relax a bit and integrate into the wine. Mind your serving temperature and let this warm up closer to room temperature to help bring the fruit flavours front and centre.
