Full Review

Johnson Estate

Johnson Estate
2019 Estate Grown Ice Wine, Chambourcin, Lake Erie

Pair this wine with:
Dessert

Category: Ice Wine

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 10.4% RS: 22.8%
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$49
2021 Best Ice Wine

Johnson Estate
2019 Estate Grown Ice Wine, Chambourcin, Lake Erie

Pair this wine with:
Dessert

Category: Ice Wine

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 10.4% RS: 22.8%
Garnet black color. Aromas of boysenberry, damson plum, birch, lilac, and rhubarb preserves with a round, lively, sweet medium-to-full body and a silky, complex, very long blackberry coulis, hints of ripe mango, candied ginger, and glazed pastry finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. An outstanding expression of Chambourcin; this is a great Ice Wine to let the grape’s best characteristics shine.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Rich & Full, Spicy & Complex & Crisp & Lively
Aroma Aroma: boysenberry, damson plum, birch, lilac, and rhubarb preserves
Taste Flavor: blackberry coulis, hints of ripe mango, candied ginger, and glazed pastry
Sweetness Sweetness: Sweet
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Strawberry Shortcake, Creme Brulee, Mixed Berries
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An outstanding expression of Chambourcin; this is a great wine to let the grape's best characters shine.

The Producer

Johnson Estate Winery

The Producer
8419 W Rte 20
Westfield, NY 14787
USA
1 716-326-2191

Their Portfolio

BR Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown, Marechal Foch, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Johnson Estate 2017 Estate Grown, Pinot Noir, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $16.00.
86 Johnson Estate 2018 Founder’s Red Blend, Lake Erie 13% (USA) $14.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown-Toasted Oak, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00.
BR Johnson Estate 2018 Estate Grown-Bright Steel, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown Semi-Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $14.00.
89 Johnson Estate 2018 Estate Grown, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $14.00.
BR Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown-Dry Rosé, Pinot Noir, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
94 Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown Ice Wine, Chambourcin, Lake Erie 10.4% (USA) $49.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2019 Estate Grown Sparkling, Traminette, Lake Erie 13% (USA) $19.00.
BR Johnson Estate NV Solstice Sangria, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $12.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Johnson Estate NV Red Ipocras, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $9.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Johnson Estate NV White Ipocras, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $9.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Johnson Estate 2019 Freelings Creek Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, American 13% (USA) $18.00.
BR Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve Toasted Oak, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve Bright Steel, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2019 Feelings Creek Reserve Brut, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $24.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $14.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve Semi-Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $14.00.
85 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve Sweet, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $14.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve, Seyval Blanc, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $11.00.
86 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve, Vidal Blanc, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $11.00.
85 Johnson Estate 2021 Feelings Creek Reserve Dry Rosé, Pinot Noir, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00.
85 Johnson Estate 2019 Feelings Creek Reserve Founders’ Red, Lake Erie 13% (USA) $15.00.
BR Johnson Estate 2018 Feelings Creek Reserve, Pinot Noir, Lake Erie 12.5% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve, Marechal Foch, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $14.00.
94 Johnson Estate 2020 Feelings Creek Reserve, Chambourcin, Lake Erie 13% (USA) $14.00.
89 Johnson Estate NV The Queen’s Catawba Bubbly Wine, Catawba, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $12.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Bright Steel, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $15.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Bright Steel, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $15.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Toasted Oak, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $15.00.
88 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Toasted Oak, Chardonnay, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $15.00.
86 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $15.00.
86 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $15.00.
85 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Sweet, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $15.00.
85 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve Sweet, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $15.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve, Seyval Blanc, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $13.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2022 Freelings Creek Reserve, Seyval Blanc, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $13.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve, Vidal Blanc, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $13.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve, Vidal Blanc, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $13.00.
92 Johnson Estate NV Old Oak Ruby Estate Grown Bourbon Barrel Aged Dessert Wine, Lake Erie 18% (USA) $18.00.
85 Johnson Estate NV Old Oak Gold Estate Grown Bourbon Barrel Aged Dessert Wine, Lake Erie 18% (USA) $18.00.
89 Johnson Estate 2021 Estate Grown Semi Dry, Riesling, Lake Erie 11% (USA) $15.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2021 Freelings Creek Reserve , Marechal Foch, Lake Erie 12% (USA) $16.00.
87 Johnson Estate 2020 Freelings Creek Reserve Founders’ Red Blend, Lake Erie 13% (USA) $16.00.

Ice Wine

Wine Glass Dessert.jpg
Serve in a Copita
Ice Wine is a dessert wine that is made from frozen grapes that are harvested very late, anywhere from December to early March. At peak, these frozen grapes have at harvest, a water content in which 80% remains as frozen crystals. Fermentation takes months to complete.

Ice wine is made from white and red grapes, primarily Riesling as well as Vidal, while Cabernet Franc is the leading red variety. Most examples of ice wine are still, but there are also sparkling versions produced.

Canada is a major producer of Ice Wine, most notably in the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Residual sugar is quite high (about 150 grams per liter, similar to Sauternes from France), but since the acidity is usually high, ice wines do not taste overly sweet.

Ideal consumption time is from eight to ten years; these are best enjoyed on their own or with blue cheeses.