Southbrook Vineyards

(photograph taken by Kevin Brochu)

The Southbrook Vineyards

farming philosophy is quite different then the other vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is because Southbrooks vineyard and winery is organic and biodynamic-certified. Biodynamic Agriculture is a method of organic farming that uses homeopathic manures and composts. They also use a holistic farming approach and focuses on the relationship between soil, plants and animals as an inter-dependent system that feeds off one another. Lastly, they also refer to the astronomical planting calendar for all their farming chores.

I judged and tasted there 2007 Triomph Chardonnay, 2006 Triomph Chardonnay, 2000 Triomph Chardonnay and the 2007 Poetica Chardonnay.

2007 Triomph Chardonnay – $21.95

Visual: Light straw.

Aroma: Faint aroma of pear, almonds and faint caramel.

Flavour: Crisp acidity, baked apples, citrus fruit, and nuts. It is also well balanced with a clean finish.

My opinion: Although the 2007 Triomph Chardonnay is young it is still very good. It showed great complexity, flavour and aroma for a whine so young. The flavour was well balanced with lots a acidity and great citrus fruit.

My rating: 80/100

2006 Triomph Chardonnay – $23.95

Visual: Straw.

Aroma: Butterscotch, hazelnut and pears.

Flavour: Velvety, buttery, thick, well layered, nice crisp acidity, very creamy with a nice smooth finish.

My opinion: This is an amazing wine. It was extremely well layered with loads of complexity. It displayed nice crisp acidity with creamy textures and flavours such as butterscotch, vanilla, butter and hazelnut. The great luscious body finished off smoothly and had a nice lingering finish.

My rating: 90/100

2000 Triomph Chardonnay– $33.95

Visual: Golden Honey.

Aroma: Citrus, pineapple, faint cream with a strong aroma of hazelnut.

Flavour: Very smooth, very well structured, creamy hazelnut and roasted almonds with a hint of citrus.

My opinion: This is a very good and well-aged wine. Because it is 10 years old it was extremely smooth and elegant. It was buttery and had a velvet texture. It also had an amazing nose with hints of pineapple and strong hazelnut.

My rating: 85/100

2007 Poetica Chardonnay– $50.00

Visual: Light straw.

Aroma: Tangerine, peach, lemon zest and a hint of hazelnut.

Flavour: Extremely crisp, very smooth, tangerine, peach, lemon, pineapple, apple hint of butter and hazelnut.

My Opinion: This is an amazing wine. I would never pay $50 for a bottle of wine. However, in this case I would make an exception. This wine displays numerous citrus flavours that linger long after you’ve swallowed. Its complexity is insurmountable with anything else that I have tasted in the Niagara region. The aroma is intense and displays hints of numerous tropical fruit and hazelnut.

My Rating: 95/100