Mabel's VCR - VIOGNIER, CHARDONNAY, RIESLING, 2018

Mabel's VCR is a fascinating blend of Viognier, Chardonnay and Riesling. Each wine was vinified separately, with the final assemblage taking place before bottling. 50% of the blend is estate-grown Viognier. The fruit was hand-harvested early to retain acidity, and whole cluster pressed in a one-ton basket press before transfer to re-coopered French oak barrels for fermentation.

The wine aged 11 months on lees in the barrel. 35% of the blend is Chardonnay from Niagara on the Lake. The wine was barrel fermented, with malolactic fermentation happening concurrently with alcohol fermentation. The wine was aged 11 months on lees in French oak.The remaining 15% is estate grown Riesling, cool-fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Suggestions of preserved lemon, sweet alyssum and just a hint of oak on the nose. Citrus and baked apple notes continue on the palate, which is dry, firm and slightly rounded on the mid-palate and then distinctly lean on the finish. A flinty or slate-like element runs throughout the wine.