Schuele Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay

TASTING NOTES:
This Chardonnay shows a pale straw colour with an expressive nose of apple, pear, melon, lemon pith, and delicate white blossoms, accented by chalky minerality and a touch of toasted almond. On the palate, it is fresh and layered, offering notes of honeydew, peach skin, pineapple core, and bright lemon zest. The wine finishes with a lingering hint of vanilla bean.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a selected strain known for consistency and aromatic expression. It then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, primarily second- and third-fill, imparting gentle structure and subtle oak character while allowing the fruit to remain at the forefront. The wine was filtered before bottling.

VINEYARD:
In 2023, Schuele Vineyards Chardonnay, grown along the south shore of Lake Ontario, benefited from a long, balanced season with warm days and cool nights, allowing excellent flavour development while preserving bright acidity. Harvest mid-October at 23° Brix, carefully timed between periods of rainfall to ensure ripeness and concentration.

Vintage: 2023
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: VQA Lincoln Lakeshore VQA
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2g/L
Acidity: 5g/L
pH: 3.51