Closson Chase Vineyards
2016 South Clos Chardonnay
VQA Prince Edward County
"A warm 2016 season and ultra low yields make this a particularly opulent and supple County chardonnay, thick and viscous, even if still fluid. There's evident creaminess from ageing on the lees, and dominant orchard fruit is ripe and yellow, though this is a far more textural than fruity wine. Wood is apparent only in its conference of oxidative character (only 20% is new), while concentration and depth are excellent overall. Powerful, robust, ripe chardonnay of terrific complexity all in all - top Sonoma Coast or Russian River examples have little on this."
-John Szabo, MS (winealign.com)
Tasted February 2019
"South Clos from the archetypal estate vineyard block with vines up to 18 years-old on the south side of the Closson Road is one of Ontario's premium chardonnays. Barrel fermented and aged for 16 months in French oak, 20 per cent new, "Le Clos" '16 is perhaps the richest, creamiest and most mouth filling of all, from the hottest of seasons. It's in a state of youthful bliss, finding a soft spot now, though a closed moment is coming, before it speaks of a true South Clos personality. Baking apples, preserved lemon and a whispered feeling of honey that is not quite there. I'd suggest enjoying one before the summer and then waiting on the rest to see what will be."
-Michael Godel (winealign.com)
Tasted April 2018