2009 K.J. Watson Chardonnay
VQA Niagara River

Release date: Friday, April 13th, 2012
Production: 3719 bottles
Alcohol content: 13.1 %

Coming to LCBO VINTAGES Spring 2012.

With its bright golden hue and rich, ripe nose, the 2009 chardonnay from the K.J. Watson vineyard, near the Niagara River, one of the warmer spots in the peninsula, is a tasty and seductive young wine. It is all stonefruit, ripe orange and toasted brioche – almost sweet – with a lovely round mouthfeel. A luscious wine for short-term drinking, and a great match for tasty seafood – think salmon or better yet, lobster.

“The K.J. Watson Vineyard Chardonnay is notably distinctive from all other styles in this acclaimed vineyard series by Closson Chase, showing great ripeness and a voluptuous nature. Viscous and warming with exceptionally well-integrated oak that plays a perfectly supporting role and adds just a hint of pleasantly sweet butterscotch. Acidity is not lacking but is smooth and rounded and balances the generous stone fruit and honeysuckle that oozes from the unctuous palate. The gentle minerality seems to knit the fruit, acids and oak together producing a beautiful tapestry of flavours. A style that straddles the old and new worlds with an elegant result. Excellent length. Tasted February 2012. Score 92 points“
Sara D’Amato, WineAlign

“This is a very intense, powerful and unusual chardonnay caked with clove spice, cashew, butterscotch and almost maple-like sweetness. The fruit is very ripe peach pie-cantaloupe. There is also a hint of latex. It’s full bodied, creamy, soft and notably sweet with some alcohol heat and orange sherbet on the finish. Excellent to outstanding length. Tasted February 2012. 89 points”
David Lawrason,WineAlign

“A very full-bodied, rich, voluptuous chardonnay with a markedly sweet impression on the palate and a significant 13.9% alcohol, a relative rarity in Ontario, achieved here thanks to ultra low yields no doubt. This is all about creamy texture, and nutty, leesy, caramel oak flavours on the palate alongside ripe orchard fruit and cashew/roasted almond and maple syrup notes. Thick and dense, this is certainly impressive up front with an “A” for ambition, though it’s the sort of wine that gets a little heavy after a glass or two. Share a bottle with at least three other friends. Tasted February 2012. 89 points“
John Szabo, WineAlign