93 PTS — Rick VanSickle
“While Brisbois is ingenious with the wilder side of winemaking that pushes the boundaries of natural and low intervention expressions of nouveau wine styles, her classic County Chardonnays are even more impressive. The trio of Chardonnays reviewed here, are a perfect example of terroir-driven wines all with their own personalities from the estate’s vineyard.
“The South block runs along the Millennium Trail, a block that is impacted by slight shade from the nearby tree line — taking a little longer in the morning to warm up. The soils change from the top of the block, which is sandier, to the bottom which is incredibly rocky. It’s a bit more subtle on the nose with a mineral edge followed by lemon, yellow apple, some pear/quince, and elegant spice notes. It’s denser and more concentrated on the palate with a creamy texture and mouth-filling lemon custard, pear, subtle savoury notes, salinity, light toasty spices and a finish that is long and lifted.
Hand picked and sorted in field from the Trail Estate Vineyard. The North and South Block were kept separate and vinified separately. Blended prior to bottling. The grapes were pressed whole cluster and were put straight to barrel. Fermented and aged in a 4th fill, Mercurey, CLL, French Oak 500 L barrel. Racked out of barrel and bottled after 10 months aging. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulphur levels.
From the South block that runs along the Millenium Trail. A block that is affected by slight shade from the nearby tree line – taking a little longer in the morning to warm up. The soils change from the top of the block, which is more sandy, to the bottom which is incredibly rocky. This wine showcases very lemon driven characteristics and a smoothness to the palate.
Cases Produced: 32
Grower: Trail Estate Winery
Harvested: October 6, 2021
Yields: Approx. 1.5 Tonnes/Acre
Brix: 20.6
RS: <3g/L
Alcohol: 10.5