Rosehall Run ‘Hungry Point’ Sauvignon Blanc 2020

CELLAR PROFILE

Dan Sullivan of Rosehall Run has succeeded at crafting elegant PEC wines for over 20 years, focusing on highlighting the specific terroir of the County and creating some of the best examples of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world. Dan received the “Best Red Wine in Ontario” medal at the 2020 Ontario Wine Awards for his signature JCR Pinot Noir 2018. Sitting on the “Hungry Point” isthmus, surrounded by Lake Ontario on 3 sides, the vines dig deeply into the rocky, calcareous limestone soil. The long sunny days and cool evenings of the region, along with the high acid levels and low pH of the estate soils, ensure Rosehall wines are never lacking in freshness and structure. It is this kind of nervy tension that allows for the production of sublime sparkling wines, both traditional method as well as tank-fermented sparklers, including the exceedingly popular “Pixie” brand. The key to Rosehall’s success is its attention to detail in the vineyard. Sullivan believes that he simply bottles what the vineyard gives him. Yields are infinitesimally small compared to other wine regions, made smaller still by careful selection. Grapes are harvested at full phenolic ripeness, made difficult by the sometimes slow ripening and by the inherent climactic dangers of long hang times.

REGION

Nestled on a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Ontario, a short drive from Kingston, the Prince Edward County wine region sits on a bed of porous limestone. This is crucial for creating the mineral, brightly acidic wines the region is known for. The vineyards benefit from breezes off of Lake Ontario, keeping the temperature down on hot summer days and cool at night. “The County” was first settled in the late 18th Century and, after years of farmland agriculture, began growing grapes in earnest by the early 2000s.

VINEYARD

The land where these vines are planted was previously known to local farmers as “Hungry Point”, where conditions were dry, winds were harsh and shallow- and rooted plants did not always thrive. It turns out vinifera grapes are right at home here. The vines dig deep into the earth gathering enough water and nutrition from the mineral-rich clay to produce ripe, concentrated fruit. The original test plot at Rosehall of Sauvignon Blanc vines dates back to 2001, making it the oldest of this variety planted in Prince Edward County.

WINEMAKING

Hand-harvested fruit from Estate vineyards was pressed into 600L puncheons, including one acacia barrel for added complexity. Fermented low and slow, with some extended lees contact. The wine rests for 6 months in barrel before bottling.

TASTING NOTES

Lemon-lime, gooseberry and apricot on the nose, along with the telltale wet rock minerality the limestone county soils are noted for. Meyer lemon, guava, celery salt and gooseberry on the palate, but this isn’t lean in any way. The zesty acids make it a great summer sipper on its own, or enjoy with new white asparagus with shaved pancetta or pan seared scallops with a squeeze of lemon.

VARIETIES

Unique, herbaceous flavour, this white wine is unlike any other. Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that is used to produce white wine. It is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world and has a variety of styles and flavours. In Canada, Sauvignon Blanc is grown in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia – all three provinces produce versions unique to their region.

In response to the U.S. government’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods and products, we will not be selling any of the American wines in our portfolio until further notice.