A Decade of Westcott
Stepping in to the winery feels like coming home again. The warm atmosphere of the building wraps around you like a warm hug - original exposed timbers and a large stone wall with a large fireplace in the center are peacefully welcoming. From the winery you can step out on to the terrace. The open deck leads to a large outdoor tent for dining as enticing aromas from the woodstove fills the air. It all overlooks the estates south vineyard on a rolling hill, and if you catch it at the right time, a sky filled sunset. Somehow, Westcott has managed to translate the inviting coziness and aura of their winery in to their wine.
I tasted my first vintage of Westcott when I tried their Estate Pinot Noir 2013 and was immediately hooked. It had everything I love about not just Ontario Pinot Noir, but Pinot Noir from anywhere, all wrapped up in one bottle. It was complex, elegant, savoury, and balanced. To me, it was the perfect wine. The next vintage of this Pinot Noir that came close to this excellence was in 2016.
A few years later, I was in the tasting room of Westcott when owner Grant Westcott came in to give me a taste of their Westcott Estate Chardonnay 2017 that was still in tank. My palate told me that this one was special. This one sip sparked an excitement in me that wasn’t just for Westcott, but also for the reassurance that Ontario wine had a bright future.
It's been ten years since Carolyn and Grant Westcott launched their dream of having a winery in Niagara, Ontario. Today, their Jordan Station winery sits on their 40 acre Home Farm on the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation, and a more recent acquirement of historic Butlers’ Grant Vineyard - a 43 acre vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation. Their rapid road to success has paved a way of highly decorated wines, with a strong focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Two of my favourite wines from Westcott Vineyards are already sold out at the winery. They’ve also won a silver and a bronze at the Decanter Wine Awards.
Westcott Estate Pinot Noir 2018
Fresh floral and savoury aromas of red licorice, mushroom, and baked strawberry draw you in to this romantic Estate Pinot Noir from Westcott. Dried cranberry, and black tea are added on a silky and juicy well-balanced palate. A sincere representation of emphatic minerality that reflects the estate’s Vinemount Ridge terroir. Long finish. There’s no wine I would rather be drinking. Pure pinot joy! Score 96
Westcott Estate Chardonnay 2020
This chardonnay is a harmonious combination of the Westcott Home Farm and Butler’s Grant vineyards. Whispers of baked macintosh apple, nutmeg, canned pear, and white flowers unfold on the nose. Limestone minerality and ripe stone fruit come hand in hand on the palate. Unravelling gentle indications of oak, toasted almond, and white pepper on a persistent finish. This rich Chardonnay shows profound character in elegance and power. Persistent finish. A top vintage for Westcott chardonnay, which is a consistent personal favourite. Score 94
Westcott Estate Pinot Noir 2019
Incredibly perfumed aromas of violets, ripe and sour cherry, black earth, cinnamon and river rock. Electric acidity on a silky palate of fine grained tannins, wet stone, cinnamon, fall leaves. Light-bodied, yet complex and wraps up with a deliciously long finish. Score 94
Mayfield Pinot Noir 2020
Seductive aromas of red roses, cinnamon, red cherry and baked strawberry. On the palate, a fine framework of soft, dusty tannins, alluring acidity, and mineral edge. A perfect balance of sweet and sour fruit notes. A satisfyingly juicy, and persistent finish. *Wine club exclusive. Score 95
Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
Earthy charm exudes from the glass of this reserve pinot. Red cherry and dried cranberry with a layer of rain soaked earth, fall leaves and cinnamon. The palate is still fresh and maintains a terrific balance of earth, dried fruit, and baking spice. Lively acidity and sour cherry on the back palate. Open, and sitting in a perfect spot right now; the tannin integration is perfect. Persistent finish. Score 92
Reserve Chardonnay 2021
This Chardonnay from Westcott comes from the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation of Niagara. It displays delicate aromas of almond, yellow plum, white flowers, and lemon zest. Creamy, and soft mouthfeel that is bursting with mango, pear, golden delicious apple, almond notes. Well-rounded, with mulberry and wet stone that develop with balanced acidity towards a long finish. This is drinking well now but will reward holding for another five years. Score 93
Carolyn’s Block Pinot Noir 2020
This Pinot is sourced from a block of young vines at Butlers’ Grant Vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench. It’s made using 100% whole cluster grapes. Unfined and unfiltered.
The nose delivers a wonderfully complex list of sour cherry, thyme, sage, cinnamon, beets and roses.
Bright red fruit on the palate, with baking spice, cooked mushroom, and earthy nuances. Medium-bodied, with racy acidity, and delicate tannin. An intriguing flavour change unfurls with touch of smoke on the long finish. *Wine club exclusive. Score 93
Butlers’ Grant Old Vines Pinot Noir 2020
Made using grapes sourced from 35 year old vines at Butlers Grant. 30% whole cluster.
Delectable aromas of vanilla, milk chocolate covered cherry, nutmeg, and graphite. A full flavoured, medium-bodied Pinot Noir that presents soft, silky tannins, balanced acidity, and a gentle mineral element. Elegant, yet rich, with harmonious notes of chocolate, vanilla, cherry, earth and light clove spice on the long, persistent finish. *Wine club exclusive Score 94
Block 76 Chardonnay 2020
Hailing from a one acre block on Home Farm Vineyard in the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation of Niagara, this unfiltered wine spends 16 months in barrel. On the nose- toffee, vanilla, baked apple, and corn. Pleasantly creamy and luscious, with a mineral essence that expands across the palate not only in texture but slight river rock, and salt flavours as well. Baked apple, bosc pear and grapefruit intertwine with ripe, juicy acidity and wraps up with a satisfyingly lengthy finish. A real statement wine, as it sings of terroir. *wine club exclusive. Score 94
It’s been a heart-warming ten years to watch Westcott Vineyards gain the recognition it’s deserved, within Canada, and internationally. Carolyn and Grant’s family values, business savviness, and determination, along with winemaker Casey Kulczyk’s dedication to crafting wines from some of the most elite sites in Niagara, makes for the perfect concoction to produce a portfolio that represents some of Canada’s best. Beyond the wine, a solid, intelligent and passionate team can’t go without mention in the winery’s decade of success.
Cheers to a decade of Westcott and being a continuous driving force of the Canadian wine revolution!