Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs VQA 2017

Description

The 2017 vintage of Carte Blanche is easily among the best sparkling wines made in Ontario that I have tasted. It's made from 100% estate grown Chardonnay from the Short Hills Bench with 20% of the fruit barrel fermented. Secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle (traditionally made) and is followed by a further 54 months aging on the lees. Such an intriguing nose of lemon tart, brioche/autolytic notes, apple/quince fruit, poached pear, pie crust and showing a light golden colour in the glass. It's pure hedonistic pleasure on the palate with a soft(ish) but elegant bead, ripe stone fruits, baked bread/biscuit notes, lemon, fresh saline/flinty minerality, and mouth-watering acidity keeping it clean and fresh through a lifted finish. Such depth and verve. Wow, just beautiful! (Rick VanSickle,winesinniagara.com,Dec. 9, 2024)

Tags

Sparkling Wine, White Sparkling Wine, Wine