Awards:

BRONZE National Wine Awards

Story:

Our Estate-Grown Chardonnay Musqué (clone 809) presents a unique flavour profile named for its distinct aromatics that recall the Muscat varietal. To best preserve these fresh and unique aromatics, our Estate Chardonnay Musqué is fermented unoaked, and bottled within six months of its pick date.

Vineyard:

Our Chardonnay Musqué represents about 1 acre of our total plantings at Rosehall Run. Just over 100 vines were planted in our north block in 2002, and an additional 1100 vines were planted in 2004 in a small site near the original farmhouse, affectionately known as our “Vina de Casa.”

Growing Season:

The vineyard experienced a long, warm growing season in 2022 which allowed for perfect maturity and rich varietal expression. The unseasonably cold winter that was detrimental to Niagara crops in early 2022 affected Prince Edward County growers less because we cover/bury our vines yearly. Nevertheless, Rosehall Vineyard’s ’22 crop would be considered a short crop by average standards.

Harvest:

Late September saw damp weather that soon gave way to a warm fall perfect for harvest. Yields were lower this season, especially compared to the bumper crop of 2021, but the quality of fruit proved to be outstanding. We enjoyed a smooth and relaxed harvest which allowed Dan and Lee to make some precision choices resulting in impeccable results. Our Estate Chardonnay Musqué was hand picked and then chilled overnight for cold processing the following day.

Winemaking:

To preserve the unique aromatics of the Chardonnay Musqué, the initial fermentation was low and slow, totalling nearly 45 days before being moved into stainless steel for a brief period of aging. During this aging period, the yeast stayed in suspension in the juice to further build weight and texture. The wine was sterile filtered and put into bottle during the early spring of 2023.

Tasting Notes:

Zesty, unoaked Chardonnay with an enticingly fragrant, floral nose. Crisp, mouth-watering texture on the palate with notes of red apple, grapefruit, and a stoney backbone. An excellent pairing with curry dishes, or rich seafood dishes such as seafood paella or salmon steaks.

Harvest Date: October 4, 2022

Bottling Date: March 2, 2023

Cases Produced: 160

Residual Sugar: 7g/L

Total Acidity: 6.6

Ph: 3.17

Drink now through 2025 for a crisp, fresh style or drink until 2028 for a more aged style.