Gamay Noir 2021
Divergence-Brandmark

Gamay Noir 2021

WISMER WINGFIELD VINEYARD

Gamay Noir grapes were sourced from the Wingfield Vineyard managed by the Wismer Family. Although better known for the adjacent Chardonnay block, this younger planting of Gamay shows great promise.
Juicy and fruit driven, maturation in mostly older French Oak barrels for 9 months helps to round out the structure and fullness of this wine.
This wine is equally at home on a patio in the summertime or with a hearty meal in the winter showcasing the potential for Niagara Gamay as a versatile and approachable wine for any occasion.

Gamay Noir 2021
Divergence-Brandmark

Gamay Noir 2021

WISMER WINGFIELD VINEYARD

Gamay Noir grapes were sourced from the Wingfield Vineyard managed by the Wismer Family. Although better known for the adjacent Chardonnay block, this younger planting of Gamay shows great promise.
Juicy and fruit driven, maturation in mostly older French Oak barrels for 9 months helps to round out the structure and fullness of this wine.
This wine is equally at home on a patio in the summertime or with a hearty meal in the winter showcasing the potential for Niagara Gamay as a versatile and approachable wine for any occasion.

 

SENSORY PROFILE

Pale ruby in the glass, this fruit driven wine has typical aromas of cherry, raspberry, plums, and pepper. The palate is tart and refreshing, with a light but substantial structure and smooth finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Although enjoyable on its own, this wine will accompany a variety of foods including pizza, pasta, and roast turkey dinner. In the warmer months you may want the wine slightly chilled, while in the cooler months cellar temperature will bring out the most from this wine.

CELLARING POTENTIAL

The wine is showing very well from early 2023 and has the potential to cellar until at least 2028.

VINTAGE

The 2021 vintage started with relatively good vine and bud health from a small crop and mild winter. Summer temperatures were among the hottest on record and conditions were optimal for flowering and fruit set.
In August, what appeared to be an early and ripe vintage stalled due to drought. This was followed by record rains in September and October resulting in a rapid increase in cluster weight and dilution of berry contents.
Where harvest was able to be delayed until adequate ripening, most varieties are showing good fruit character early with delicate aromatic white varieties and fruit driven red varieties.

WINE DATA

Variety: 100% Gamay Noir
Alcohol.: 12.2%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Titratable Acidity: 7.5 g/L
pH: 3.28
Bottling Date: 2022-09-01
Production: 120 cases

VINEYARD AND HARVEST DATA

Appellation: Twenty Mile Bench
Site: Wismer Wingfield Vineyard
Soil: Oneida loam over clay till parent material
Clone: 509 and 565
Rootstock: 3309
Vine Age: 2016 planting
Harvest Date: 2021-10-22
Yield: 2.5 T/ac

VINIFICATION

Grapes were hand harvested and destemmed into three open top fermenters. Native yeast were allowed to initiate the fermentation for three days before inoculation with selected yeast strains. The cap was punched down 2-3 times daily during fermentation.

The wine was pressed after two weeks and settled for a short time before being transferred to barrel. Five French oak barrels were selected, with one being 2nd use, one 3rd use, and the others all older neutral barrels. After nine months, the wine was racked out of barrel and gently filtered prior to bottling.

REVIEWS

“Climbs the gamay ladder and resides just a rung short of full but is certainly able-bodied and this gives off a feeling of being a cru-designate gamay. Stylish and complex, Fun stuff, tons of energy, really good length and some chalkiness that suggest structure. This is fine indeed, likely with 50 per cent-ish whole bunch. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted blind at NWAC2023, June 2023.” 91 points – Michael Godel

“Pale-medium red. Cranberry juice, reductive in the varietal idiom. Tart acids, crunchy and fresh; good length. Tasted blind at the NWACs 2023.” 89 points – John Szabo, MS

“A very complex wine, almost borderline geeky…in a good way! Fresh, bright, well-structured and expressive, this single vineyard Gamay has the potential to age well. On the nose, aromas of red cherry and fresh raspberry cover the fruit component while heartiness, mushroom, violet and pipe tobacco enhance the bouquet of this wine. On the palate, the texture is smooth with flavours of red berries, Bing cherry, red pepper jelly, loads of Provencal herbs and some cloves on the finish. The oak influence is minimal but perceptible, the acidity is mouth-watering and the tannins are still grippy, which brings personality to the wine.” 90+ points – Carl’s Wine Club

“[N]eeds a decant, but after doing that and swirling vigorously the nose reveals plums, brambly black raspberries, macerated cherries, earthy notes and just a touch of spice. It’s smooth and textured on the palate with rich and savoury red berries, plums, anise, spices, and plenty of zip on the finish. If you can, cellar this a bit, say six months, before opening or decant if you can’t resist it now.” 91 points – Rick Vansickle, Wines in Niagara (reviewed Nov 2022)

“An elegant, fresh and floral nose of roses, lilacs, and red licorice introduce this cru single vineyard Gamay. Light-bodied, with a punchy red fruit core that delivers red raspberry and fresh strawberries on a wave of exhilarating acidity. Balancing earthy and floral notions that taper towards to the edges of the palate and continue on a lingering finish.” Leah Spooner, CWS; IG: @leahspooner_wine

“The nose opens up with excellent intensity and aromas of sour red cherry, strawberry, red plum, watermelon rind, star anise, black pepper, and a touch of savoury herb that adds complexity. On the palate, things are medium bodied and so refreshing, with high acidity that gives it a very bright, summer-like feel. Descriptors from the nose repeat and linger over a longer finish than you might expect for a lighter red like this. I really like the lighter and more refreshing take on Gamay explored here. Drink now or watch it evolve over the next 5 years or so.” Jacob Gigliotti, IG: @thewine_wiz