Notebook: Le Grand Clos 2018
Lower than anticipated yields, but amazing quality
A year since the re-launch of Le Clos Jordanne and its wines have received major acclaim from writers in Canada and have been released into the U.K. market. Winemaker Thomas Bachelder explains that “2018 was a gorgeous year for the Burgundian varietals in Niagara but was a short crop and we have less wine than last year.”
Bachelder says there’s less than 1,000 six packs of both wines combined. “It was a short year,” Bachelder explained, referring to the lower than anticipated yields in the vineyards. “We’ve made it shorter by going for the pixie dust.” For instance, the 2018 chardonnay is half of the volume bottled in 2017.
Le Clos Jordanne will resume exporting wines to the UK market as well, which will also increase demand for the allotment available to Canadians.
Notes:
Some barrels were declassified to ensure that the finished wines represented the best quality from the single vineyard site in Jordan. “The best barrels are the ones that taste most like the Grand Le Clos based on years of experience,” says Bachelder.
Chardonnay spent two months longer in barrel than the pinot noir. 22 months of barrel aging to pinot’s 20 months.
These wines will be released Nov. 28 at the LCBO and via leclosjordanne.com. The SAQ is expected to stage its release in March 2021
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2018
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 94 PRICE: $44.95 (184549)
Ripe, rich, integrated chardonnay. Shows considerable weight and intensity, concentrated mouthfilling rich character, appealing floral and chalky mineral notes, and a long lingering finish. Aromas and flavours also suggest a mix of melon and citrus, spice and vanilla notes. The profile becomes more creamy and earthy with aeration (tasted on the second day). Drink now to 2026. 375 cases.
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2018
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
SCORE: 94 PRICE: $44.95 (184564)
Ripe and fragrant pinot, with dark fruit, floral and savoury spice notes. Dry, with a core of dark fruit, bright acidity and savoury complexity. A rewarding and immediate style, but with concentration and structure to age. Appealing texture and long finish. Drink now to 2026.
About the Author
Christopher Waters
Christopher Waters has been writing about wine for two decades. He is the wine and spirits columnist at The Globe and Mail, education director of IWEG Drinks Academy and a WSET certified instructor at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University.
For 21 years, he was the editor/co-founder of Canada's largest circulation wine publication, VINES, and author of the nationally syndicated column, Waters & Wine.
An internationally recognized wine judge, Christopher represents Canada for the Six Nations Wine Challenge and served as head judge and organizer of the InterVin International Wine Awards from 2009-2019. He was awarded the Business Citizen of the Year at the 2011 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival and was received the VQA Promoters Award for Education, also in 2011.
Christopher has been organizing and conducting unforgettable corporate and private fine wine events for 20+ years. He has developed and conducted masterclasses and seminars and moderated panels for organizations, such as The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, Wines of British Columbia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Germany and Wines of South Africa.