Sauvignon Blanc 2022
HUGHES VINEYARD
The second vintage of this single vineyard wine shows the ripeness and concentration of the 2022 vintage. A slightly more barrel forward expression than the 2021 version, this wine is incredibly tropical and complex while retaining the freshness that underlies Niagara Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented and aged six months in new and older French oak, this wine is very textured and has the structure to pair with a variety of foods, but is also perfectly suited to sipping on the patio. This will be the final production of this wine as the vineyard was subsequently sold following the 2022 vintage.
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
HUGHES VINEYARD
The second vintage of this single vineyard wine shows the ripeness and concentration of the 2022 vintage. A slightly more barrel forward expression than the 2021 version, this wine is incredibly tropical and complex while retaining the freshness that underlies Niagara Sauvignon Blanc.
Fermented and aged six months in new and older French oak, this wine is very textured and has the structure to pair with a variety of foods, but is also perfectly suited to sipping on the patio.
This will be the final production of this wine as the vineyard was subsequently sold following the 2022 vintage.
SENSORY PROFILE
Medium yellow in colour, the nose presents with intense guava, honeysuckle, and melon, as well as toast and baking spices, and a hint of green pea pod. Medium bodied on the palate, it is very round, and has a long saline and mineral finish.
FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine will pair with dishes of substantial flavour. Grilled cod with chimichurri, or grilled chicken with savoury vegetables such as asparagus, beans, or peas.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
This wine has been aged one year in bottle before release and is drinking in its prime, with potential to cellar until at least 2028.
VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was largely shaped by a very wet end to 2021 followed by a sharp cold January that caused bud death across most vineyards and varieties. Some areas such as very close to Lake Ontario or on slopes with very good water and air drainage fared better, but overall, this winter led to a significantly reduced crop.
A slow start in spring was followed by a warm and mostly dry summer. August brought some storms, but the fall was again dry and relatively warm leading to good ripening conditions for the small crop that was hanging.
Quality is good to excellent due to the lower yields and favourable weather and the wines from 2022 will be sought after due to their relative scarcity.
WINE DATA
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12.4%
Residual Sugar: 0.6 g/L
Titratable Acidity: 6.6 g/L
pH: 3.38
Bottling Date: 2022-03-17
Production: 85 cases
VINEYARD AND HARVEST DATA
Appellation: Lincoln Lakeshore
Site: Hughes Vineyard
Soil: Jeddo clay loam
Clones: 530 (50%) and 297 (50%)
Rootstock: 3309
Vine Age: 2011 planting
Harvest Date: 2022-09-16
Yield: 2.8 T/ac
VINIFICATION
The two clones were harvested and crushed together and allowed to soak on the skins for a few hours before pressing. The juice was settled at cold temperature and clarified juice was racked to a selection of French oak barriques for fermentation using a variety of selected yeast.
Following fermentation and 6 months aging the final blend was selected from these barrels, with the result including 30% new barrels with the remainder being older neutral wood.
The wine was blended, gently fined, and clarified using only bentonite (no allergens/non-vegan fining agents were used), followed by filtration prior to bottling.
REVIEWS
“The ripest sauvignon blanc of the lot, juicy and fleshy with a vinous meets melon and almost mango tropical quality. Tin pineapple as well and in the end the mélange of fruits does well to carry this joyful varietal tune. Proper use of oak and so it’s quite fleshy. Drink 2024-2026. Tasted blind at #NWACS24, June 2024.” 90 points – Michael Godel
“More reserved and flinty. Tight on the palate, drying texture – acids and phenolics. Wood not a factor. Just a bit too tight. Tasted Blind at the NWACs June 2024.” 90 points – John Szabo, MS