Vintages Release: September 28, 2019

• You and the following 2018 Flat Rock ‘Good Kharma’ Chardonnay can both be counted as big-hearted as a portion of your purchase price is donated by the winery to the Ontario Association of Foodbanks. The price-quality balance is attractive; pick up a few and drink over the next year or so.

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Flat Rock ‘Good Kharma’ Chardonnay 2018

VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (356873) 12.5% alcohol

This was fermented in stainless steel tank and matured in barrel for 6 months on its lees. Aromas of tropical fruit and citrus introduce a light-medium bodied, lightly oaked stream of ripe pineapple and white grapefruit interlaced with mineral notes and hints lemon curd. The finish is racy and showcases a lip-smacking spine of mouth-watering acidity. This is crisp, clean and refreshing; give it a go with sushi or ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 Flat Rock ‘Gravity’ Pinot Noir was fashioned from 100% estate-grown fruit that was hand-picked, sorted, de-stemmed and cold soaked. Ambient cellar yeasts fermented the fruit with only free-run juice selected. Wine was racked, settled and bottled unfiltered. Only French-coopered oak barrels were used for ageing, 15% new. Total elevage was six months.

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Flat Rock ‘Gravity’ Pinot Noir 2016
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $34.95 (1560) 13.5% alcohol
A lively nose of red and black cherries and berries leaps from the glass decorated with baking spice and charred toast. It washes over the palate medium-plus bodied, underpinned with perceptible tannin and showcasing flavours of tangy red cherry and ripe black cherry engulfed with sharp spice, charm and complexity. Look for persistent purity of fruit, balanced on a pin with plenty of flavour. Tuck a few of these away—open in 2023 after careful cellaring; your patience should be handsomely rewarded. (Vic Harradine)