Niagara, Ontario

Acclaimed winemaker Sue-Ann Staff vinifies on her family’s 200-year-old Niagara Escarpment estate in Jordan, Ontario. Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, home of the Fancy Farm Girl wines, is the ultimate assemblage blending over 100 years of grape-growing experience (including two Grape King titles) with Sue-Ann’s internationally acclaimed winemaking. Famous for her icewines, you’ll also find award-winning pinot gris, riesling, cabernet franc, chardonnay, baco noir, and sparkling wines.

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Wines 2021 wines included in monthly subscriptions

September 2021

ROBERT'S BLOCK RIESLING, 2018
THE GRITSTONE CABERNET, 2019
THE LOUIE PINOT GRIS, 2018
MOUNTAIN BELL MERLOT, 2018
MABEL'S VCR (VIOGNIER, CHARDONNAY, RIESLING), 2018
BANK BARN BACO NOIR, 2020

ROBERT'S BLOCK RIESLING, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 14 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200

Appearance: Bright, golden in colour.
Nose: Minerally, honeyed grapefruit nose developing petrol notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced, grapefruit and honey flavours with a tangy, citrus acidity on the finish. Good length.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now, but will age well for several years.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: White pizza with arugula and prosciutto, baked chicken with apricot glaze, cheesy onion pie, poached salmon with hollandaise sauce, and pork and cabbage dumplings.

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THE GRITSTONE CABERNET, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 120

Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy nose of dark chocolate, plum and black currant.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured flavours of red plum and black currant with oak notes and evident but mellow tannins on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Fried tofu with spicy ginger-sesame sauce, Moroccan sausage stew, duck with chestnut stuffing, French dip sandwich with caramelized onions, and turkey and green chili enchiladas.

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THE LOUIE PINOT GRIS, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 88

Appearance: Yellow gold in colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, peach pit nose with a salty note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, white peach flavour with a smoky note; nicely integrated oak.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now and through 2022.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Asiago tuna melt sandwich, braised octopus with romesco sauce, chicken piccata with broccoli, mascarpone-stuffed crêpes, and chips and black bean dip.

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MOUNTAIN BELL MERLOT, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 190

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Lightly cedary, spicy, blueberry bouquet with vanilla notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, floral, blueberry and black currant flavours with well-integrated oak and velvety tannins on the finish. A balanced, harmonious wine.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2023.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Blueberry and blue cheese burger, lamb shoulder with citrus and fennel salad, veal roast with creamed kale, barbecued jackfruit wraps, and charcuterie board with pickled vegetables and black currant spread.

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MABEL'S VCR (VIOGNIER, CHARDONNAY, RIESLING), 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Viognier (50%), Chardonnay (35%), Riesling (15%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250

Appearance: Straw colour with a greenish tint.
Nose: Apple and peach nose with a honeyed note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, green apple and green peach flavours carried on lively acidity.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now and through 2022.
Critic Rating: 88 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Almond crusted tilapia, kale and quinoa salad with orange tahini dressing, rosemary and maple roasted cashews, veal parmesan sandwich, and pork souvlaki with radish tzatziki.

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BANK BARN BACO NOIR, 2020

Geographical Indication: VQA Ontario
Varietal: Baco Noir
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11.5%
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,000

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Purple core.
Nose: Violets, black cherry, ripe dark berry fruit (blackberry, black currant), leather, earth, green vegetal note, and a hint of mint.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Just off-dry. Licorice, cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry, green herbs. Well-balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.

Food Pairing: Pineapple sticky ribs, black forest cake, bison meatloaf with rapini, bolognese pizza, and mushroom stroganoff with osso bucco.

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RIESLING LOVED BY LU, 2018

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 22 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 800

Appearance: Clear, bright. Light straw core.
Nose: White flowers, red apple, pineapple, lime zest, hint of petrol.
Palate: Medium acid, light bodied. Off-dry. Red apple, peach, white floral note, and a hint of orange.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 – 91 points. A beautiful, well-balanced wine.

Food Pairing: Thai chicken wrap with spicy peanut sauce, bucatini with roasted cauliflower, apple and fontina grilled cheese, smoked trout salad with horseradish dressing, and maple-glazed bananas.

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