A Year of Growth and Evolution: Westcott Vineyards' Journey (Grant Westcott September 2024)
As summer comes to a close and the anticipation of harvest season approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on Westcott Vineyards' last 12 months. This past year has been exciting for us as we continue refining our offerings and striving for excellence, producing terroir-driven wines that reflect the best of the Niagara region. Our dedication to creating Canada’s finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines remains steadfast, and recent reviews from prominent critics underscore our growth.
In this review, we explore how far we’ve come, contrasting insights from a year ago with the most recent opinions of respected wine writers Jamie Goode (UK), Rick Van Sickle (Canada), Michael Godel (Canada), and Sarah Marsh (UK).
Looking Back: Reviews from the Past
In the previous years, Westcott Vineyards had garnered recognition for its high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, wines that expressed the unique terroir of the Niagara region. Jamie Goode, from Wine Anorak, praised our Chardonnay for its "lovely texture" and balance of fruit and acidity. Rick Van Sickle of Wines in Niagara highlighted the expressive nature and complexity of our Pinot Noir, noting its subtle earthiness and refined tannins.
Michael Godel from WineAlign and Godello.ca emphasized our use of natural fermentation and minimal intervention, which allowed our wines to be vibrant and expressive of their origins. Sarah Marsh, writing for Fine Wines of the World, admired our wines for standing on an international stage, comparing our Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs to those of Burgundy.
These reviews cemented Westcott Vineyards as a winery capable of producing wines of high quality. However, in the last 12 months, we’ve continued to innovate and push the boundaries of winemaking, refining our techniques and introducing new methods. Let’s see what the same writers have to say about our latest releases.
Jamie Goode’s Recent Reviews
In his most recent reviews, Jamie Goode acknowledges the evolution of Westcott wines, particularly noting the increased depth and complexity in our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He highlights our use of lees aging and partial malolactic fermentation, which has enriched the texture and flavor profile of our wines. Goode writes:
Westcott Block 76 Reserve Chardonnay 2022 Vinemount Ridge
"Very fine and linear with pear, apple, and citrus fruit. Delicate and restrained with bright acidity, but still concentrated. Racked into neutral puncheons for six months and bottled unfiltered. So fine and tense." 95/100
Westcott Butler’s Grant Old Vines Chardonnay 2022 Twenty Mile Bench
"100% French oak, 20% new. Complex and mealy with rich pear and peach fruit. Nice depth and minerals, with a saline twist on the finish. Really good." 94/100
Westcott Reserve Chardonnay 2022 Vinemount Ridge
"Nice texture here with pear and white peach. Crystalline and mealy, with a hint of pastry. So supple and refined." 94/100
Westcott Estate Chardonnay 2021 Niagara Escarpment
"Bright, fresh, linear with saline edge to the pear and peach fruit. Has richness and freshness, with a spicy peach touch. Lovely complexity." 93/100
On the Pinot Noir front, Goode also observed remarkable improvements:
Westcott Carolyn’s Block Pinot Noir 2020 Twenty Mile Bench
"100% whole cluster. Very fine and delicate, with floral and bright finesse. Pure and elegant with cherry and strawberry fruit." 96/100
Westcott Reserve Pinot Noir 2020 Vinemount Ridge
"Freshness allied to richness, with red berries and cherries, fine spiciness, and a sappy finish. Very expressive." 95/100
Westcott Butlers’ Grant Old Vines Pinot Noir 2020 Twenty Mile Bench
"Nice richness with sweet cherry and raspberry fruit, fine tannins, and a grippy finish. Lovely fruit." 94/100
Goode also lauded our sparkling wines, noting their precision and depth:
Westcott Blanc de Blancs 2021 Twenty Mile Bench
"Barrel fermented, 2.5 years on lees, bottled with no dosage. Textured and rich with lovely pear and citrus fruit. Very stylish." 93/100
Westcott Brilliant Blanc de Noirs Cuvée 1 NV Vinemount Ridge
"Complex and layered with toast, honey, and spice, with marmalade and cherry hints. Lemon freshness and beautiful depth." 94/100
Rick Van Sickle’s Insights
Rick Van Sickle, from Wines in Niagara, has been consistently impressed with Westcott’s wines, noting a "greater precision in the expression of vineyard-specific characteristics." His reviews include:
Westcott Block 76 Chardonnay 2022 ($50)
"Block 76 produces only 120 cases, aged 22 months in French oak (no new oak). This vintage boasts elegance and a saline freshness on the finish. Creamy texture, lemon tart, and racy, persistent finish." 94/100
Westcott Reserve Chardonnay 2022 ($50)
"Pretty nose of white flowers, ripe pear, and yellow apple with saline and sweet oak spices. Creamy texture, rich fruit, and mouth-watering acidity." 93/100
Westcott Butler’s Grant Vineyard Old Vines Chardonnay 2022 ($50)
"Elegant, with white flowers, fresh pear, crisp apple, and citrus. Turns richer on the palate with flinty, mineral, and toasted spices." 93/100
Van Sickle was also enthusiastic about our sparkling wines:
Westcott Brilliant Blanc de Blancs 2021 ($48)
"100% traditional method Chardonnay. Fresh lemon, leesy notes, and green apple. Persistent on the palate with bright and fresh lemon cream." 93/100
Michael Godel’s Continued Enthusiasm
Michael Godel has long praised our natural fermentation methods. His recent reviews highlight a greater focus on texture and mouthfeel, particularly in the Chardonnay:
Westcott Block 76 Chardonnay 2021 VQA Vinemount Ridge
"From the home farm, this Chardonnay boasts electric acidity and complex layers of fruit and minerality. Texture is mineral-driven, with vibrancy that will age well." 92/100
Westcott Estate Chardonnay 2022 VQA Niagara Escarpment
"Barrel fermented, super turbid, and a more linear, tight, bright version of Westcott’s Chardonnay. Sharp and hyper-real." 92/100
Westcott Butler’s Grant Chardonnay Old Vines 2022 VQA Twenty Mile Bench
"Concentration and extract are impressive. Immediate gratification with mineral underlay and vibrant fruit." 92/100
Godel also commended our Pinot Noirs, noting their balance and structure:
Westcott Butler's Grant Carolyn’s Block Pinot Noir 2020 VQA Twenty Mile Bench
"Flinty and delicate with rich, expressive varietal character. Serious and austere with implosive behavior. Built to age." 92/100
Westcott Butlers' Grant Old Vines Pinot Noir 2020 Twenty Mile Bench
"Elevated concentration with dark fruit, ambition, and tannins. Bold and structured Pinot Noir with long aging potential." 91/100
Sarah Marsh’s Comparative Perspective
Sarah Marsh of Fine Wines of the World offers a global perspective, positioning Westcott’s wines alongside some of the best from Burgundy. She notes increased complexity and refined oak usage, particularly in the Pinot Noir:
Westcott Reserve Pinot Noir 2020
"Intense aromas of dark berries and spices, structured palate with aging potential. Elevating Westcott's offerings further."
Marsh’s recent reviews suggest that Westcott is not only maintaining its high standards but raising the bar, producing wines that compete with the best on the global stage.
Conclusion: A Year of Steadfast Progress
Over the past 12 months, Carolyn and I are extremely proud of the team at Westcott who have made significant strides, enhancing our portfolio with new winemaking techniques while maintaining a commitment to quality. The consistent praise from critics Jamie Goode, Rick Van Sickle, Michael Godel, and Sarah Marsh demonstrates Westcott’s growth as a premier producer of terroir-driven wines in Niagara.
As we continue to innovate and explore the unique characteristics of our vineyards, we believe the future looks bright for Westcott Vineyards, with wines that delight both casual enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
