Flat Rock Cellars | 2022
Niagara, Ontario
We are here at Flat Rock Cellars for two reasons. First, we’re here to make great wine. Second, we’re here to offer you a truly personal wine experience. Everything we do comes from these two basic principles.
- Ed Madronich, President
Since opening in 2005, Ed Madronich has injected fun and enthusiasm into both the wine and the winery experience. The five-level gravity-fed winery sits atop the escarpment with an incredible 360° view of the vineyards, Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. Chardonnay and pinot noir, are the winery’s focus but the rieslings, especially Nadja’s Vineyard, are consistently recognized among Canada’s best.
Wines included this month
December 2022
Enthusiast Red: White: 2019 E{NV}Y Riesling, 2019 Explore Gamay
Enthusiast Red Only: 2019 Explore Gamay, 2021 PTG
Enthusiast White Only: 2019 E{NV}Y Riesling, 2020 Explore Sauvignon Blanc
Expert Red: White: 2019 E{NV}Y Riesling, 2019 Explore Gamay, 2021 PTG
Expert Red Only: 2019 Explore Gamay, 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir, 2020 Red Twisted
Expert White Only: 2019 E{NV}Y Riesling, 2020 Explore Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Rusty Shed Chardonnay
Master Red: White: 2019 E{NV}Y Riesling, 2020 Explore Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Rusty Shed Chardonnay, 2019 Explore Gamay, 2021 PTG, 2021 Pinot Noir
Master Red Only: 2019 Explore Gamay, 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir, 2020 Red Twisted, 2021 Pinot Noir, 2021 PTG, 2017 Nurture Pinot Noir
E{NV}Y RIESLING, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Flat Rock Vineyard
Alcohol: 10.5%
Residual Sugar: 17.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 220
Appearance: Bright, pale straw in colour.
Nose: Floral, honeyed grapefruit bouquet with a thread of minerality.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, crisply dry, green apple and green plum flavours carried on tangy lemony acidity to a long satisfying finish.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Awards:
Silver - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Curried coconut-seafood soup, Tandoori chicken, air fried Buffalo chicken wings, sweet potato gnocchi with browned butter sauce, and ahi tuna poké bowls.
EXPLORE GAMAY, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: Bucknall Vineyard
Alcohol: 11.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 214
Appearance: Light ruby in colour.
Nose: High toned, slightly reductive, spicy, red plum nose.
Palate: Light-bodied, fresh, easy drinking, Beaujolais Nouveau style. Chillable.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drink now.
Awards:
Silver - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Falafels with turmeric rice, herb and citrus-roasted chicken, spinach and olive spanakopitas, cedar plank salmon with soy glaze, and roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing.
EXPLORE SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Watson Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 202
Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Slightly reductive, grassy, green plum nose with a mineral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, grapefruit and lime flavours. Well-balanced and long in the mouth. Lovely mouth-feel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Food Pairing: Mussels in white wine and butter sauce, chicken pesto flatbread, spinach and ricotta cannelloni, vegetable biryani, and garlic prawns with cucumber and ginger salad.
PTG, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietals: Pinot Noir (86%), Gamay (14%)
Vineyard: Lambert Vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 220
Appearance: Ruby-crimson in colour.
Nose: Earthy, spicy, cherry bouquet.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, dry, cranberry and cherry pit flavours. Lean and sinewy with mouth-freshening acidity.
Quality: 88 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Roasted beet salad with walnuts and goat cheese, Thai basil chicken, barbecued pork ribs with mashed potatoes, pepperoni pizza, and caramelized pork tacos with pineapple salsa.
RUSTY SHED CHARDONNAY, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Flat Rock Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.92 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 915
Appearance: Light straw in colour.
Nose: Toasty, spicy, apple bouquet, with citrus notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, beautifully balanced apple and citrus flavours with spicy vanilla and well-integrated oak.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023-4.
Awards:
Silver - 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Alaska sushi rolls, ravioli with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes, butternut squash curry, creamy Tuscan scallops with spinach, and pecan-crusted chicken.
RED TWISTED, 2020
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Gamay (72%), Merlot (25%), Pinot Noir (3%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: >3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,200
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Ruby colour.
Nose: Cherry, raspberry, cassis, earth, baking spice, and a hint of black licorice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Raspberry, tart cherry, licorice, earth, hints of black tea and black pepper.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Decant well and enjoy now or hold for 3-5 years.
Food Pairing: Crispy coconut kale with roasted salmon, tikka masala, orange-braised pulled pork tacos, portobello mushroom burger, and garlic confit and roasted tomatoes on toast.
NADJA'S VINEYARD RIESLING, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Nadja's Vineyard
Alcohol: 11.5%
Residual Sugar: 18 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 406
Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Lightly floral, minerally, grapefruit zest nose.
Palate: Just off-dry with lemony-grapefruit flavours and bracing acidity. Very much in Rheingau style, succulent on the palate with unconscionable length.
Quality: 93 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. One of the very best Niagara Rieslings. Can be enjoyed now, but will cellar for a decade.
Awards:
Platinum - 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Spinach and artichoke dip with baked pita chips, yellow chicken curry with coconut rice, apple pie, halibut with orange-miso sauce and fennel salad, and smoked salmon canapés.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you use a new winery each month?
Yes, we partner with a different winery each month ensuring you receive a variety of VQA wines.
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When was Flat Rock Cellars | 2022 featured?
It was featured in December 2022.
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