Story goes that owner Bill Redelmeire was traveling in the U.S. and came upon a shop selling his wine (this wine to be exact). The owner confided in Bill that he was having trouble moving a “Canadian Chardonnay”, so Bill bought his own wine back, all of it, at a discount. Catch Bill at a tasting of this wine and he’ll tell you it just might be the smartest wine purchase he’s ever made. This was my favourite of the library wines submitted to the Cool Climate Chardonnay tasting (coolchardonnay.ca). This is a wine produced during the original days of Southbrook, when winemaker Derek Barnett (now with Lailey), toiled with Lailey vineyard fruit and wine was made on a farm in Richmond Hill. Barrel fermented and aged in oak for 22 months. Not much fruit here, but what can you expect from a 12 year old Chardonnay. Instead, there’s almond and hazelnut on the nose with a little lemon peel and almond on the palate, all held together with really nice acidity. Currently in re-release and sold only in magnum (1.5L) this wine shows wonderfully well for its age. Price: $154.00 – Rating: ****½ ... Reviewed January 2010