Description

Named in memory of Henry’s wife, widow and family matriarch, Catharine  Smith, 'Carte Blanche' is the vintage dated Cuvée Catharine. Estate  grown Chardonnay is hand-picked and the best of the best juice is isolated,  partially barrel fermented and then aged for 54 months in the bottle before post-fermentation before  being disgorged. Look for elegant flavours of lemon curd and aromas of freshly  baked bread.

Learn more about our Cuvée Catharine sparkling wines here.

Recent Awards & Reviews

94 points - Chris Waters, Globe & Mail 

95 points - Dean Tudor, Gothic Epicures 

93 points - Vic Harradine, Wine Current 

94 - Michael Godel, Wine Align

93 - David Lawrason, Wine Align

93 - John Szabo, Wine Align

Winemaker's Notes

• Estate grown Chardonnay from The Short Hills Bench.
• Hand-picked and bunch selected.
• Gently whole cluster pressed with 20% of the juice barrel fermented for primary ferment.
• Secondary fermentation in bottle is followed by a further 54 months aging on the lees.

Food Matches

Salmon caviar with sour cream, Malpeque oysters with a hint of  lemon, or soft cheeses from Brie-type to the range of those made with Goat’s milk.

Vintage:  2015
Style:  Sparkling
Varietal:  Chardonnay
Geographic Designation:  VQA Niagara Peninsula
Alcohol: 12.5%
Sugar: 6.4 (g/L)
Acidity: 7.0 (g/L)