I recall that during COVID times I went for a tasting with Ed Madronich at Flat Rock Cellars in Jordan, Ontario. Those were eerie times. Can you imagine 50 people at Niagara Falls! Over the years Ed has produced quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and I suppose it is time to escape COVID memories and celebrate that liberation with a Flat Rock Cellars 2021 Chardonnay. The grapes were hand picked and sorted.
Aroma: Classic aroma of Niagara Flemish pears, apples, honey and marzipan. The French oak barriques in which it was fermented and aged certainly give the wine an oaked personality.
Palate: Although influenced by oak it is not fat and buttery and in fact has a lean edge to it. A rich mouthfeel with its controlled acidity lending the wine a bit of a spicy if not white peppery finish. Its acidity makes it ideal for food and it suits Lake Erie pan fried pickerel from off the coast of Port Stanley, Ontario with home baked fries.
Personality: Take a whiff and you might be expecting one of those caramelly Cali Chardonnays but I am a cool climate toughie.
Food Match: Pan fried lake fish.
Price: $21.95 CDN (Ontario).
Cellarbility: Drink now or hold until 2026-year end.
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 91/100. Tony Aspler 91.
(Flat Rock Cellars 2021 Chardonnay (Foundation Series), VQA Niagara Peninsula, Flat Rock Cellars Ltd., Jordan, Ontario, 12.5%, 750 mL).
Set the Bar 