2016 Howard's Icewine Vidal 375 ml

Sue-Ann's father, Howard Victor Staff, was as committed to family, farming and community as his ancestors. He was a staunch supporter of Sue-Ann's career, relishing her success. As he particularly loved Sue-Ann's Icewines, the 2016 Howard's Icewine Vidal is named in his honour.

Silver Medal, 2019 Berlin International Wine Competition

Silver Medal, 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition,

Bronze Medal, 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards

Sue-Ann's exceptional 2016 Howard's Icewine Vidal is a vibrant, luscious, and seductive example of excellence in Icewine. 2016 was a warm vintage, resulting in ripe fruit with opulent, developed flavours. As a result, the wine reverberates with bright, lively and vivacious fruit notes, with a thread of minerality throughout for complexity. Look for candied lemon peel, orange marmalade and peach jam with wet stone and balancing acidity. 

 Ideal with:

• blue cheese particularly Roquefort;
• foie gras and rich patés;
• cream-based desserts as Crème Brûlée, Sabayon, custards;
• creatively with mains such as sweet potato gnocchi or maple syrup infused duck breast.

Sue-Ann vinified this Icewine from 100% estate grown Vidal, grown on clay soil with a limestone base. The fruit was pressed at -10C yielding a low quantity of juice per tonne at 39° Brix. The juice was cool fermented in stainless steel over 4 months with selected yeast before being sterile filtered with no additions or fining required. Total production for the 2016 Howard's Icewine Vidal was 500 cases (200ml) and 450 cases (375ml) 

Alcohol: 10.5% alc./vol.  Residual Sugar: 209 g/L     Total acidity: 10.3 g/L    pH: 3.39

Rick Vansickle -- Wines In Niagara, score: 92 pts
This lovely, aged icewine from the spectacular 2016 vintage shows a deep golden colour in the glass and, my, oh my, what a nose of alfalfa honey, marmalade, compoted tropical fruits, citrus peel, peach preserve and ginger spice. It’s showing some lovely age on the palate yet maintains freshness in the melange of tropical compoted fruits, peach tart, brown sugar and vanilla bean in a lush and rich style that is exciting right now but can age another five years.  

Jon Steeves – Sommelier, www.nataliemaclean.com, score: 93/100
A wonderful Vidal icewine. Dominant Raw honey, ripe juicy lychee, sweet apricot, fragrant applesauce on the palate and nose. Deep creamy gold, sweet and rich with vibrant acidity. This wine is irresistibly delicious and pairs well with classic New York cheesecake. Tasted Jan 2016.