Wonderful Chardonnay from Tawse

Kato — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:00:28 +0000

Let me tell you a little bit about Tawse winery. Moray Tawse is a lover of Burgundy and a few years ago he started a Niagara winery (in the Beamsville area) to create exciting Pinot and Chardonnay. The Pinot side is doing well, but the Chardonnay is really hitting the high spots. Not everyday priced of course, but the Tawse wines deliver more character than just about any Chardonnay at this price level. Expect the Burgundy style – very concentrated and tangy dry.

The Robyn’s Block 2007 ($42 winery only – new release) is very French. You can feel the richness and specialness right away but the flavour show is orchestrated to happen later. A brisk, tart freshness gets the show off to a good start. I’d have white meat dishes with this. Tawse ‘Quarry Road’ ($35 winery only, and also very limited future distribution at a few select LCBOs) is more earthy and tangy dry. There’s an edge and mineral quality that suggests Grand Cru Chablis. A classic wine partner for seafood.

FYI: 2006 Robyn’s Block Chard will soon be released through Vintages (only 28 cases) and everything else is sold out.

P.S. Tawse vineyards are organic and biodynamic. While the place is a bit formal, there’s no denying the stunning quality achieved in a relatively short period.

Billy Munnelly – Billy's Best Bottles Wine Blog » biodynamic

Wonderful Chardonnay from Tawse