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WTN: 2005 Willow Springs Chardonnay (Ontario VQA)

PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:53 pm
by Paul B.
I bought this 2005 Chard from Willow Springs Winery near Stouffville the same day that I bought some 2005 Baco Noir from the same winery. What makes the winery noteworthy is the fact that it's located north of Toronto, completely away from any lake effect offered by Lake Ontario - something from which wineries in the Niagara Peninsula, by contrast, clearly benefit.

This Chardonnay really hit the bullseye in 2005, which was a superb year in Ontario and should be especially good for our reds. The quality of the fruit really shows through here, making for a remarkably good vinifera wine grown in a non-traditional location for Chardonnay in Ontario.

13.2% alc. Lovely crystal-clear bright straw colour with a youthful greenish tinge and plenty of pétillance. Ripe, estery green-apple and pineapple fruit explodes on the nose; brightly aromatic. Crisp, perfectly dry and warm on the palate with excellent fruit ripeness evident from the texture. Very dry and warm towards the finish, with pure Chardonnay-fruit replays and lots of minerally crispness along the mid-palate into the finish.

This is remarkably good juice.

Re: TN: 2005 Willow Springs Chardonnay (Ontario VQA)

PostPosted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:16 am
by Bob Parsons Alberta
Thanks for promoting a great Canadian wine, there Paul B. I have not been posting much here as I am having to get used to what is going on here>any hints!!! LOL.

Re: TN: 2005 Willow Springs Chardonnay (Ontario VQA)

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:15 am
by Paul B.
You know, Bob, this wine was really good but also remarkable for the location of the vineyard. This is the same winery that has Geisenheim 318 and Frontenac in the ground!

I can't wait to try their Frontenac - it'll be the very first Ontario-grown Frontenac I've ever tried. It's in barrels at present, but I will be very keen to try it and get some if it's good.

The only Frontenac I've tried so far was one that some great soul brought over to the Tour de France MoCool back in 2001. The wine was a cherry-ruby colour, translucent yet with great saturation, very distinct pin-cherry nose, gentle tannins and a lovely rounded tartness on the palate. Nobody later on could remember who brought it, though I do know that it was from somewhere in Middle America.