Leaning Post | 2023
Niagara, Ontario
Ilya Senchuk and wife Nadia followed their dream to produce world-class, terroir-driven wines from unique vineyards across Niagara. Leaning Post epitomizes small-scale, artisanal winemaking with minimal intervention allowing the vintage to show itself in glass. A leaning post is what you find at the beginning of a row of grapes, anchoring the wires that are the framework for growing grapevines. It is the beginning of an obsession to translate a time and place into liquid. Leaning Post wines take you to that beginning by finding small, unique plots of land in Niagara and putting them in bottle. Because after stripping away all the fancy buildings and high-tech equipment you are left with a place on this earth that grows wine unlike any other. When you taste that in a glass you just know it.
Wines included this month
May 2023
Enthusiast Red: White: 2020 The Fifty Chardonnay, 2020 Pinot Noir
Enthusiast Red Only: 2020 Pinot Noir, 2019 Gamay
Enthusiast White Only: 2020 The Fifty Chardonnay, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc
Expert Red: White: 2020 The Fifty Chardonnay, 2020 Pinot Noir, 2019 Gamay
Expert Red Only: 2021 The Fifty Pinot Noir, 2019 Gamay, 2020 Cuvée Winona
Expert White Only: 2020 The Fifty Chardonnay, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Riesling
Master Red: White: 2020 The Fifty Chardonnay, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Riesling, 2020 Pinot Noir, 2019 Gamay, 2020 Cuvée Winona
Master Red Only: 2020 Pinot Noir (x2), 2019 Gamay, 2020 Cuvée Winona, 2021 The Fifty Pinot Noir, 2018 Merlot
THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Grimsby Hillside Vineyard, Senchuk Vineyard, Hemeris Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 540
Appearance: Light straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, apple bouquet with light citrus notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, peachy, melon flavour. Beautifully balanced with well-integrated oak.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Greek salad wraps with grilled halloumi, white pizza with wild mushrooms, fettucine alfredo with grilled chicken, seared ahi tuna steak, and clam risotto with bacon and chives.
PINOT NOIR, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Bock Vineyard, Grimsby Hillside Vineyard, Hemeris Vineyard, Senchuk Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 193
Appearance: Bright ruby colour.
Nose: Toasty, black raspberry nose with a top note of violets and a touch of vanilla and pencil shavings.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and raspberry flavours. Beautifully balanced, lovely mouth-feel, firmly structured with ripe tannins.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. A wine of great charm. Can be opened now, but will reward cellaring for 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Cochinita pibil tacos with pineapple salsa, bacon-wrapped salmon with avocado dressing, beef bourguignon, mini prosciutto and asparagus frittatas, and balsamic portobello burgers with caramelized onions and garlic aioli.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Lakeshore
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 275
Appearance: Palest straw in colour.
Nose: Grassy, minerally, green plum nose with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, green plum and lemon flavours. Mouth-freshening acidity and good length.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Food Pairing: Penne with lemon cream and prosciutto, pan-roasted cauliflower with garlic and green herbs, coconut fried chicken, spinach and red pepper enchiladas, and seared scallops with jalapeño vinaigrette.
GAMAY, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: End of the Road Vineyard, Wismer – Armbrust Vineyard, Wismer – JR Wismer Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Bright ruby in colour.
Nose: Lifted cherry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, dry. Cherry and cranberry flavours carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Chillable or room temperature. Drink now through 2023.
Food Pairing: Fried calamari with tartar sauce, Cajun shrimp and rice skillet, chicken tagine with paprika and sesame seeds, spanakopita, and hangar steak with chimichurri.
RIESLING, 2019
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Wismer Foxcroft Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 12.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 480
Appearance: Clear. Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, tropical fruit, lychee, peach, red apple, lemon peel, and petrol notes.
Palate: Medium+ acid, light- to medium-bodied. Slightly off-dry with lively acidity. Fruit-forward flavours of peach, nectarine, green apple, lemon, a hint of tropical fruit, and classic Niagara minerality. Well-balanced with a zippy mouthfeel and pleasant finish.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Jambalaya with Andouille sausage, salmon roll sandwiches, Thai mini-shrimp lettuce wraps, herb focaccia dusted with spicy bacon, and honey-lime quinoa fruit salad.
CUVÉE WINONA, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Merlot (61%), Cabernet Franc (39%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 620
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour with a purple rim.
Nose: Cedary, tobacco, blueberry and blackcurrant bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, elegant, firmly structured, blueberry and currant flavours with well-integrated oak.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Filet mignon with garlic butter, lamb tikka flatbread, chicken salad with feta and grilled peaches, hamburgers stuffed with bacon, onion, and cheese, and Egyptian koshary with tomatoes and crispy cauliflower.
THE FIFTY PINOT NOIR, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: End of the Road Vineyard, Grimsby Hillside Vineyard, Hemeris Vineyard, Bock Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 297
Appearance: Crimson-ruby in colour.
Nose: Raspberry, dried tea-leaf nose with a suggestion of oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry. Raspberry and strawberry flavours. Nicely balanced and easy drinking.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Drink now or hold till 2024.
Food Pairing: Barbecued pork ribs, pear and brie crostini, roasted spiced duck with plums, poblano and pimiento cheese-roasted chicken, and salmon, arugula, and avocado salad.
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.
Who picks the wines?
We work together with the wineries and with our team of experts.
When was Leaning Post | 2023 featured?
It was featured in May 2023.
Who ships the wines?
All wines are shipped by the wineries directly. To learn more, see how it works.
How can I subscribe to Leaning Post | 2023?
You can subscribe by going to wine club and choosing between red, white or mixed options.
What's the price of the subscription?
You can go directly to our product page to get the latest prices.
Can I give these as a gift?
Yes! we have an assortment of gift options. You can choose between a monthly gift delivery or a one-time gift basket.
Ready to start your own subscription?
Join our wine club now and discover the best Canadian from the vineyard to to your door