Jost Vineyards

Hans Christian Jost is without question Nova Scotia’s foremost terroir advocate, producing numerous limited edition single vineyard bottlings of various varieties from across the province. His willingness to source and produced distinctive wines from all parts of the province has encouraged vineyard development from the South Shore to Cape Breton.

This wine, the seventh vintage release of Cayuga from Cape Breton, is indeed a reflection of Jost’s commitment to developing greater appreciation for the province’s myriad growing areas.

John Pratt’s Marble Mountain vineyard, sits favourably on steep slopes overlooking the deep waters of the Bras d’Or Lakes. With maritime climate moderation and ideal south-east exposures, Nova Scotia’s northernmost commercial vineyard experiences late springs and slow ripening over a growing season that extends into late autumn -- harvest is some vintages is as late as November. The Côte de Bras d’Or conditions allow the Cayuga fruit to fully ripen without developing the labrusca “foxy” aromas and flavours the grape is prone to when grown in warmer regions. Indeed, this wine shows none of those less desirable characteristics, presenting itself in a beautifully restrained manner reminiscent of a delicate Mosel Riesling with well defined mineral and wet stone aromas evident on the nose. The wine has a steely edge with brisk acidity and bright fruit that suggests white plum and peach. The palate is soothed by the wine’s big body which shows exceptional balance of the acidity with a degree of residual grape sweetness.

Jost's Cayuga is currently the only varietal Cayuga produced in the province, and represents one of the clearest examples of a distinctive style and taste that can be found in Nova Scotian vineyards.

Reviewed December 7, 2005 by Adam Dial.