2015 Chardonnay Musqué
$16.95
Estate Bottled | VQA — Niagara-on-the-Lake
Winemaker's Notes
There are 40+ clones of Chardonnay. Musqué is the term describing two of these clones because they are quite aromatic. We pioneered both in the Niagara Peninsula eventually settling on Clone 809 because we believe it produces particularly interesting and fragrant wine. And we don’t use any oak to make sure the wine fully expresses itself in your glass. The 2013 vintage is especially gorgeous — pale gold in colour with notes of spiced fruit and honeysuckle leaping from the glass. Even though it’s an unoaked white wine, it has considerable body and weight.
Vineyard Manager's Notes
The grapes for this wine were sourced exclusively from our vineyards. We grow Clone 809 in two locations; the heavier clay-based soils from the St. David’s Bench Vineyard and the silty, mineral rich soils from our Seven and Seven Vineyard. We hand select the fruit as it is being picked to make sure only top quality grape bunches are used. This is important because Clone 809 can break down so we have to watch it especially carefully to make sure only ripe, full berries make it to the winery, all the while making sure we are farming our vineyards responsibly and sustainably, like we have done since 1978.
Bosc Family Food Pairings
This wine is so easy to pair with food. It has the mouth feel to stand up to grilled salmon or even fettucini alfredo when you are not in the mood for an oaked Chardonnay. It’s technically bone dry but the pretty nose makes you think it’s a bit sweet, so it works with Thai curry and even sushi.
Technical Notes
| Harvest Date |
Alcohol |
Brix at Harvest |
PH |
Total Acidity |
Cases Produced |
Residual Sugar |
| September 29 |
13.50% |
22.4˚ |
3.6 |
5 |
470 |
.4 g/L |
Featured Accolades
"Theirs is not just any chardonnay musqué but one raised from Clone 809. The Bosc family is a pioneer in this respect and it is the St. David's Bench (Seven and Seven Vineyard) that speaks to this mutated clarity for a grape expression unique to Niagara. It’s still tropical and bougainvillea floral though a bit understated in 2015. I would expect the following vintage to come back to those heights while here it is spice and fine bitters that take you to the finish. In a way but not entirely like gewürztraminer, albeit here so very dry. Drink 2018-2020." 88 points. --Michael Godel, winealign.com, August 2018.
“Drinking nicely now, this aromatic version of Chardonnay, a CdC specialty, delivers an appealing range of ripe orchard fruit on a wave of florality that should earn lots of fans. Acids are mellow on a mid-weight frame, and length is more than adequate for the money. Solid stuff, a fine vintage for this wine, drinking now.” 88 points --John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, August 2018.
