2020 Black Lion Chardonnay

Chardonnay x Ferox. An idea that a variety championed in Niagara can be produced and refined to reflect the winemaking mantra at Ferox is how the 2020 Black Lion Chardonnay was born. Taking inspiration from the 7 Grand Cru climats in Chablis, the primary aromatics of this wine are rooted in orange rind, apricot, lime-flowers, quince and rounded off with flint and a slight salinity. Once aerated, light notes of yogurt and pastry are present, owing to the extended time on lees with enzymatic and mechanical breakdown. The palate mirrors the nose, with a focus on pear, Valencia orange, and passion fruit, with a discreet touch of honey. Bright acid helps balance the glycerol in this wine, leading to an extended finish with almond and honeycomb being the star. This has the charm of a unique and authentic wine and is the crown jewel of white wine portfolio at Ferox.

This Chardonnay was picked on September 12th, 2020, by hand, with cluster and berry sorting in the vineyard. After cold-settling for 24 hours, fermentation lasted 3 weeks, with temperatures no greater than 19°C. The wine was racked off fermentation solids and left on fine lees for 3 years, with bâtonnage occurring once every month. A final racking was done before being bottled unfiltered on March 22nd, 2023, before bottle aging for 21 months prior to release.