• Le Clos Jordanne is a grand experiment that’s remained true to original intentions—showcasing the similarities between Niagara and Burgundy while retaining the uniqueness of the individual terroir of Niagara. Three of the four Chardonnay are sourced from single-vineyard fruit in the VQA sub-appellation of Twenty Mile Bench. The fourth, ‘Village Reserve’, has fruit from these vineyards as well as from the nearby sub-appellation of Vinemount Ridge. The original initiative for this was spearheaded by Inniskillin’s co-founders, Don Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser then fully supported when Vincor took over Inniskillin with Thomas Bachelder as winemaker—the first vintage was 2004. It’s now owned and showcased by Constellation Brands with the winemaking torch passed to Sebastien Jacquey in 2010 when Thomas Bachelder departed—Sebastien had been assistant to Bachelder since 2007. Le Clos Jordanne is recognized as a premium producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at home and abroad. Reviews of the most recent Chardonnay release follow.
• Order the following wine for weekday home, office or restaurant delivery with no bottle minimum, online at La Clos Jordanne.
Le Clos Jordanne ‘Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $40.00 (33910) 14.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baked apple, pit fruit and mixed spice herald a medium-full bodied, well-defined, rich river of flavour with ripe peach, tropical fruit and lemon pie filling garnished with spicy oak and mineral notes. This single-vineyard gem is structured and powerful with creamy smooth mouth feel and a balanced, lingering, refreshing, aftertaste. This is charming sipped on its own or poured with roast pork or fowl. (Vic Harradine)
Le Clos Jordanne ‘Claystone Terrace’ Chardonnay 2012
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $40.00 (56929) 13.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of baking spice, distinct floral notes, minerality and lime cordial provide segue for a stunning, involved surge of marzipan, lemon yoghurt and exotic spice. This is an elegant, powerful wine wrapped in a silky cocoon—it’s mid-full weight with glorious mouth feel, persistent purity of fruit, good balance and a monumental, lip-smacking aftertaste. According to winemaker, Sebastien Jacquey, it’ll improve over the next three to five years, gaining in balance and complexity—it’s not to be missed. (Vic Harradine)
Le Clos Jordanne ‘Le Grand Clos’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $65.00 (34561) 14.0% alcohol
This opens with heady aromas of ripe peach and pear with tangy lemon robed in baking spice, oak and mineral notes. It bathes the palate with a spice-infused wash of poached pear and racy citrus mingling with flinty/mineral notes and notions of toasted almond. Medium-full bodied with good mouth feel, this showcases persistent purity of fruit, good structure, judicious oak regimen, deft balance and oodles of charm persisting through the lengthy finish—huge kudos to winemaker, Sebastien Jacquey. (Vic Harradine)
Le Clos Jordanne ‘Village Reserve’ Chardonnay 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $30.00 (33936) 13.5% alcohol
Tropical fruit, citrus and apple on the nose, this coats the palate with a delectable flow of nectarine, yellow plum and crisp, green apple flavour. It’s mid-weight with good texture, balanced and fully integrated with a charming lip-smacking finish and aftertaste featuring sweet orchard fruit perfectly juxtaposed with tangy acidity. I suspect many/most readers will find this incredibly enjoyable given its full-fruit flavour and drink-me-now style. (Vic Harradine)