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)