![Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_8377-scaled.jpg)
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
We were proud to feature Sue-Ann Staff in September 2021.
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.
Tasting Notes
![2018 Robert's Block Riesling](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/robert_s_block_riesling-e1628527005664.jpg)
ROBERT'S BLOCK RIESLING, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![The Gritstone Cabernet](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gritstone_cab-e1628527032769.jpg)
THE GRITSTONE CABERNET, 2019
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![The Louie Pinot Gris](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/louie_pinot_gris-scaled-e1628527056590.jpg)
THE LOUIE PINOT GRIS, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![Mountain Bell Merlot](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mountbell_merlot-e1628527078770.jpg)
MOUNTAIN BELL MERLOT, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![Mabel's VCR](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mabel_vcr-scaled-e1628527100753.jpg)
MABEL'S VCR (VIOGNIER, CHARDONNAY, RIESLING), 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![Bank Barn Baco Noir](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bank_barn_baco_noir_1-e1628527120636.jpg)
BANK BARN BACO NOIR, 2020
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
![Riesling Loved By Lu](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/riesling_lu-e1628527141912.jpg)
RIESLING LOVED BY LU, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
![The Windsock Cabernet Sauvignon Rose](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/18_Cab_Sauv_Rose-scaled-e1628527172126.jpg)
THE WINDSOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Ontario
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Deep salmon pink colour.
Nose: A nose of wild strawberries.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, strawberry and cranberry flavours with zesty acidity that give the wine great length on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Lamb and green squash dumplings, shrimp fried rice, strawberry and goat cheese salad, cauliflower gnocchi with white beans, and grilled shishito peppers with garlic dip.
![Elisha's Chardonnay](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/elisha_s_chardonnay-e1628527194337.jpg)
ELISHA'S CHARDONNAY, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 220
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale gold core.
Nose: Vanilla, baking spice, green apple, brioche.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Buttery. Vanilla, pear, green apple, citrus zest, hints of baking spice.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points.
Food Pairing: Buttered popcorn, spicy California roll, roasted chicken with creamy walnut sauce, apple and brie turnovers, and pork meatballs with cranberry sauce.
![Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/chestnut_tree_cab_franc-e1628527218506.jpg)
CHESTNUT TREE CABERNET FRANC, 2017
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 280
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Medium garnet core.
Nose: Dark cherry, earth, green pepper, smoke, hints of green herbs and pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Blackberry, black currant, dark raspberry, licorice, green pepper, and an herbal note. Hints of black pepper and smoke.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Pepper-crusted beef tenderloin, dark chocolate-covered blueberries, lamb meatballs with raisin pesto, chicken stew with biscuits, and eggplant parmesan.
![Fancy Farm Girl Flamboyant Red](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ffg_red-e1628527236371.png)
FANCY FARM GIRL FLAMBOYANT RED, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (64%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Merlot (15%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 600
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Light ruby core.
Nose: Cherry, raspberry, blackberry, violets, green vegetal note, menthol, hint of smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Plum, dark cherry, cassis, green pepper, smoke, black pepper.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. 89 – 90 points.
Food Pairing: Bulgogi steak lettuce wraps, beef brisket with cornbread, pistachio and wild mushroom pizza, braised rabbit pie, and spicy Korean chicken wings.