Pearl Morissette Flammerole 2023

Pearl Morissette isn’t just a winery; it’s a phenomenon. With a farm that houses the #1 restaurant in the country (and two Michelin stars to boot), they’ve built a universe around a single, radical idea: that Canadian wine can be world-class.

Flammerole is their Chardonnay with a 14% kick of Riesling, and it’s a masterclass in texture. The Chardonnay is fermented and aged in concrete and barrels, while the Riesling is fermented in steel before being passed into barrels. The result feels like a brilliant, teen-aged oaky Chardonnay. It has all the beautiful texture from the barrel, but without any of the insulting, heavy-handed vanilla.

The nose is a dream of hazelnut paste, buttery puff pastry, and salted butter. The palate is crisp, vibrant, and finishes with the perfect zing of lemon dreams. It’s simply perfect.