Le Clos Jordanne, `Le Grand Clos` Niagara Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CJ150B21 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
Located in Twenty Mile Bench, a sub-region of the Niagara Peninsula, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne is one of Canada’s leading wineries. Originally established as a Franco-Canadian collaboration between the Burgundian Boisset family and Vincor (Canada's largest wine producer) in 2000, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne spearheaded the quality revolution in Niagara Peninsula still wines. In 2019, after a period of dormancy, original winemaker Thomas Bachelder returned to the winemaking helm and continues to lead the revolution, producing high-quality, minimal-intervention, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Surrounded by Carolinian forests and glacial ravines, the picturesque 10.45-hectare ‘Le Clos Jordanne’ vineyard was originally selected for its cool climate and limestone-rich clay soils, resembling those of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Dijon clones are planted and traditional Burgundian methods, such as high-density planting, hand harvesting and hand sorting of grapes, are employed to achieve more concentration, complexity and flavour in the wines. With an average vine age of 20 years, yields are as little as four tonnes per hectare. Grapes from each parcel are fermented and barrel-aged separately to express the unique qualities of their site. The ‘Le Grand Clos’ parcel is situated along the western side of the ‘Le Clos Jordanne’ vineyard and, as the name suggests, is considered to be the estate’s ‘Grand Cru’.
Domaine Le Clos Jordanne’s ‘Le Grand Clos’ Chardonnay is richly flavoured, with white flower and stone fruit perfumes. Fermentation and ageing for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels (20% of which are new) adds textured complexity and elegance to the final wine. The ‘Le Grand Clos’ Pinot Noir has an alluring and expressive nose of raspberry coupled with dried flowers and complex spice. The palate reveals chalky minerality, firm acidity and finely tuned tannins that culminate in a focused finish.
Vineyards
The 'Le Grand Clos' parcel is located along the western side of the 10.45 hectare 'Le Clos Jordanne' vineyard. The vineyard was originally chosen for its limestone-rich clay soil and cool climate, 'Le Grand Clos' represents the best single parcel of Chardonnay. The vines are 20 years old, farmed sustainably and are treated according to their terroir specifics. Meticulous work is carried out in the vineyards following bud-break to ensure excellent concentration on each single cluster of grapes.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage was characterised by challenging weather. The warm, dry spring resulted in an earlier than average bud break, leading the peninsula into an early flowering period. This suggested a very early, low-yielding harvest. However, a couple of big rains in July and August increased bunch weights. The heavy, frequent rain continued through harvest, but with enough intermittent sun to ripen the Burgundian varieties to attractive levels. For some vineyards, it was a race against time to complete harvest during the sunny breaks, but in general, the grapes remained healthy despite the rains, and the resulting wines have beautifully-plush fruit character, with trademark Niagara acidity and minerality. A particularly classic-tasting vintage.
Vinification
The grapes were whole bunch pressed after sorting. The juice was left to settle in tank for a couple of days before letting the tanks warm up, so that indigenous yeast from the vineyard could slowly start the fermentation. The juice was then transfered to 228L barrels to complete the fermentation. The wine was then placed in French oak barrels for between 20 to 22 months. Malolactic fermentation started naturally over winter and finished in mid spring. In order to preserve the flavour profile of each terroir, new oak component was around 20%, with the remaining barrels being between 1-4 years old. The wines were then racked out of barrel and left to settle in tank for around a month. The wine was filtered prior to bottling and then aged for six months to allow the mouthfeel and bouquet to develop.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Le Grand Clos 2021 shows impressively pure and fine fruit notes. The nose is brimming with notes of red apples, lemon with smoke and spice. On the palate, well-defined flavours of pear, citrus and cream lead to a long, complex finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
13%
Acidity
5.4 g/l
Residual Sugar
1.5 g/l
pH
3.36
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Clos Jordanne | `Le Grand Clos` Niagara Pinot Noir | CJ151 | R | Factsheet |