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Lightfoot & Wolfville Ancienne Pinot Noir 2018

Canada, Nova Scotia
Organic
Biodynamic
94 WA 94 Points (WineAlign)

From low-yielding vines on the south-facing slopes of our estate vineyard in Avonport comes the Ancienne Pinot Noir. Sheltered by Bay of Fundy breezes and born out of meticulous viticultural effort. Wild fermentation and aging of 18 months in old/neutral French oak barrqiues reveals the perfume and elegance of the Oak Island Vineyard terroir. 

Serving Temperature: 14-16°C

Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
Region Annapolis Valley
Producer Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
Vintage 2018
Color Red Wine
Varietal(s) Pinot Noir
¥5,500  (incl. tax)

From low-yielding vines on the south-facing slopes of our estate vineyard in Avonport comes the Ancienne Pinot Noir. Sheltered by Bay of Fundy breezes and born out of meticulous viticultural effort. Wild fermentation and aging of 18 months in old/neutral French oak barrqiues reveals the perfume and elegance of the Oak Island Vineyard terroir. 

Serving Temperature: 14-16°C

Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
Region Annapolis Valley
Producer Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
Vintage 2018
Color Red Wine
Varietal(s) Pinot Noir
Data
Closure Cork
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 12%
Product Code D002R00118
UPC 628055615033
Inventory In Stock (26)
Owning & Enjoying

Tasting notes

Pale ruby red shines in the glass. Subtle, elegant and refined with notes of brambleberry, brown spice, dark cherry and sandalwood. Fine, grippy tannins that will soften over time in bottle are framed by bright acidity.

Pairing

Pairing suggestions include Peking/bbq duck, roasted pork, richer fish such as tuna and grilled vegetables with romesco sauce.

Cellaring

Recommended Drinking: 2020-2028

Press
94WineAlign
Michael Godel - Despite the late season frost of 2018 (June 5th) the pinot noir was unaffected, even at the Oak Island site where other (earlier developing) varieties were hit. The rest of the season was beautiful and with today being a spice day (or earth if you prefer) the sandalwood, fenugreek, cinnamon and cardamom all come through. Such a seep of tea, red tea that is, not quite rooibos but more floral, into hibiscus without any doubt. A wine of oscillations and grooves, sensitive, emotive, ever changing. That said the mood is more than good at this stage, an intuitive and responsive, paying attention and ranging to so many edges, corners and plateaus. Already secondary, perhaps empathetic in speaking about other vines’ suffering and expressive of beauty for all. Almost as if the pinot noir is saying I’ll take all the attention right now while the rest of you get healthy. 3,000 bottles made, approximately. Drink 2022-2027. Tasted September 2021
Production

Vinification

From low-yielding vines on the south-facing slopes of our estate vineyard in Avonport comes the Ancienne Pinot Noir. Sheltered by Bay of Fundy breezes and born out of meticulous viticultural effort. Wild fermentation and aging of 18 months in old/neutral French oak barriques reveals the perfume and elegance of the Oak Island Vineyard terroir.

Certification: Organic by Ecocert Canada & Biodynamic by Demeter

Production Amount

3168
Producer

Producer Description

Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned and operated by the Lightfoot family who have been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations. Originating in Northern England, the Lightfoot name referred to the swift-footedness of our forebears who traditionally worked as messengers. At Lightfoot & Wolfville we like to think we bring a light touch and enlightened approach to both the agricultural and artisanal parts of our work – working in harmony with nature and letting the land offer up its innate best, without subjecting it to aggressive inputs. We believe being present on our land means recognizing the living memory of its past inhabitants while keeping in tune, daily, with the life of our soil and vines. Our Home Farm has been in Michael’s family for four generations – working the land is in our blood. We’ve also found evidence of earlier history on both our sites, including Acadian and Planter artifacts and even an Acadian-era house foundation where our current winemaking facility stands.

OUR STORY

Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned and operated by the Lightfoot family who have been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations. Originating in Northern England, the Lightfoot name referred to the swift-footedness of our forebears who traditionally worked as messengers. At Lightfoot & Wolfville we like to think we bring a light touch and enlightened approach to both the agricultural and artisanal parts of our work – working in harmony with nature and letting the land offer up its innate best, without subjecting it to aggressive inputs.

We believe being present on our land means recognizing the living memory of its past inhabitants while keeping in tune, daily, with the life of our soil and vines. Our Home Farm has been in Michael’s family for four generations – working the land is in our blood. We’ve also found evidence of earlier history on both our sites, including Acadian and Planter artifacts and even an Acadian-era house foundation where our current winemaking facility stands.

ETHOS

We believe that the best wines are the result of a deep connection between PEOPLE & PLACE, as reflected in our winery’s name - “LIGHTFOOT & WOLFVILLE” - “Lightfoot” is our family name and “Wolfville” is the name of the town we call home.

We believe great wine is grown by farmers and viticulturists respectful of the land’s particular gifts and energies. That management of a vineyard in harmony with nature allows for maximum expression of its unique individuality. Our commitment to regenerative agriculture practices is driven by a duty to protect and promote the vitality of our soils for future generations, and has led us to successfully pursue organic certification through Ecocert Canada and biodynamic certification by Demeter Canada.

Minimal-intervention vinification from healthy, balanced fruit allows us to produce distinct wines that faithfully convey the purest sense of time and spirit of place.

THE PLACE

GROWN ON THE SHORES OF THE MINAS BASIN

The Annapolis Valley is a long, relatively narrow valley located on the western edge of Nova Scotia, situated between two parallel mountain ranges, along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Close proximity to the Bay of Fundy and the world’s highest tides creates an incredibly unique growing environment with tremendous potential for the production of distinctive cool-climate wines.

Our 40 acres of vines are planted on two distinct sites along the shores of the Minas Basin, an inlet of the Bay of Fundy, where hilly slopes extend the frost free period and provide excellent exposure. Natural airflow and incessant saltwater breezes off the basin provide an important moderating effect, especially critical during the winter months when temperatures dip below freezing. Throughout the growing season, these same cool breezes slow ripening, extending the hang times of our fruit. This microclimate creates balanced, full-flavored grapes that tend to have relatively low sugar content, yet full phenolic maturity and beautifully retained natural acidities. The ultimate result is wines that are firmly rooted in a distinct sense of place, characterized by vibrancy, freshness, finesse, and a brilliance and clarity of flavor that can only be achieved in very cool climate regions.

THE VINES

We farm 40 acres of vines on two distinct sites, one on the edge of the Town of Wolfville and the other in nearby Avonport. Both vineyards have breathtaking views of Cape Blomidon, and benefit from the Minas Basin's moderating impact on climate.

Another shared aspect of the terroir at both sites is the rare Wolfville Formation Soil that makes up a mere 3 percent of our province's soil spectrum. The upper root horizon consists of glacial till with coarse sandy loam, while the deep root horizon’s clay content provides ideal moisture retention.

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