2021 Courtney Gamay

Since its first vintage in 2002, this prized block of Gamay has been bottled separately due to its unique character. Extended aging in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, is another distinction that sets this wine apart from our other Gamays. Expect a deep, richly fruited and smooth Gamay that has proven to age well if you resist pulling the cork.

92 points, Michael Godel, Wine Align
91 points, David Lawrason Wine Align

Winemaker's Notes:

A richly fruity nose of plum, cherry and blackberries-in-cream a covers a gently spiced, herbal underlay.  The texture is generous with flavours of cherry, strawberry jam and vanilla.

Hand-picked from our Estate Vineyard’s Courtney Block October 19th, as grape sugars averaged 22.4° Brix.

Destemmed fruit and juice fermented in large-format oak cuves.  After press, the wine aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 13 % new, the remainder neutral.  We bottled 280 cases in March 2023.

Alcohol: 12.5%  Titratable Acidity: 6.15 grams per Litre    pH:  3.38

Dry: 0 g residual sugar

Vegan friendly.          

Food Companions:
Serve near 14 ° C with steak tartar, a classic charcuterie plate or pork roast with roasted potatoes.

When to drink: now to 2029.

92 points, Michael Godel, Wine Align
By now Courtney feels like the original Malivoire gamay at a premium level because while the newer skus have expanded the repertoire it is this barrel-aged Beamsville-er that speaks to classic Bench style. Less relative fiddling and experimentation in terms of carbonic maceration, whole bunch usage and skin-maceration, in other words a more planned and less reactive way to fashion gamay. The vintage is a stellar one and so all that we have come to love about gamay as Courtney is on display. Sour-edged juicy red fruit, liquid pepperiness, calm earthy undercurrent and those elements and minerals that set this OG apart. This is the price to pay, in more than one way for proper Ontario gamay. Drink 2023-2027. Tasted August 2023.

91 points, David Lawrason Wine Align
From iron-rich soils and aged to a degree in French oak, this one of several gamays made by Malivoire. It is very smooth and nicely ripe with generous strawberry/cherry red fruit, petunia florality and very light spice. It is light bodied, very even and fresh with fine acidity and virtually no tannin. Some minerality joins the fruit on the finish and the length is excellent. Very pretty and precise. Tasted August 2023.