Coolshanagh’s vineyard was planted exclusively to carefully-chosen Dijon clones of Chardonnay (Dijon Clone 548, 95, and 96) and Pinot Noir (Dijon Clone 91 and 943), and with their small 10-acre plot will always be small production. Their vines were planted in 2004, 2009 and 2011. The soil starts as silt and clay-type but within 100 yards it grades into a rocky boulder-laden glacial soil that is filled with limestone and calcium carbonate, which we know is great for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay giving elegance and minerality.
My Tasting Notes
Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2016 ($30.99) – A deeper bright lemon + gold colour. It has a medium-plus intensity nose with lots of toast and ripe tropical fruit, butterscotch, along with some ripe apple. With decanting the toastiness lessens and I pick up a touch of lemon aroma. The wine is dry and round with a thicker mouthfeel backed up by an above average level of acidity that leaves a prickle on your tongue. Pronounced flavours of tropical fruit, butterscotch and toastiness. Some butteriness as well. The wine has a lighter mouthfeel with decanting while the flavours stay the same. Long length finishing with tropical fruit, acidic prickle and some pepperiness. A bigger, richer Chardonnay. No need to decant.
Rating: 
A bigger Chardonnay with rich ripe tropical fruits on the nose and palate, along with toasty oak on the nose and butterscotch on the palate.
A bigger Chardonnay with rich ripe tropical fruits on the nose and palate, along with toasty oak on the nose and butterscotch on the palate.Coolshanagh Pinot Noir 2016 ($31.99) – deep, dull, semi-translucent garnet; no filtering or fining. It has a medium intensity nose where you get a whiff of dill, full red fruit, nutmeg, and ripe red cherries. Swirling brings out some smokiness on the nose. With decanting you get a pronounced smoky raspberry aroma along with the other aromas previously mentioned. This wine is dry with higher acidity, medium plus mouthfeel. It is semi-round with a bright acidic backbone. The tannins are really quite light and fine. Pronounced flavours of bright tart red fruit, red cherries, plums and sweet spices. A touch of vanilla and oak. With decanting the plum flavour is reduced and tannins are even lighter. It finishes with red fruits, vanilla and light fine grained tannins and oak. A wine that can easily age 4-8 years with the higher level of acidity. Enjoy with food now.
Rating: 
– Bright red fruit aromas and flavours with a strong acidic backbone. Decanting brings out some smokiness in this wine. Age 4-8 years for best experience, or sip with food like lox and cream cheese.
– Bright red fruit aromas and flavours with a strong acidic backbone. Decanting brings out some smokiness in this wine. Age 4-8 years for best experience, or sip with food like lox and cream cheese.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Available at private liquor stores and restaurants, through owner Skip Stothert (coolshanagh@me.com, 250-809-4695), or order from Trialto Wine Group at 778-331-8992
