Category Archives: White Wines

ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $63.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full disclosure: Rombauer Chard has been my favourite chard for years, but this vintage is one of their best if not their best vintage to date. Big, bold, luscious & buttery. Score: 99/100 (my highest rating of any wine to date).

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Butter on white toasted bread, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, D’Anjou pear, lemon meringue pie, crème brûlée, nutmeg, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 17, 2021

LCBO: 441089

PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE MARSANNE 2019, Pays D’Oc, France

23 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Paul Mas
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you are an ABC person (Anything But Chardonnay), try this wine, you won’t be disappointed. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, peach, ripe pear, apricot, honeycomb, Golden Delicious apples, nutmeg, butterscotch, vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I tried several different styles of wine glasses from Montrachet to Chablis & the wine was tasted good in all of them.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Pork Chops with Pears and Green Peppercorns

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 22, 2021

LCBO: 462457

BON COURAGE PRESTIGE CUVÉE CHARDONNAY 2019, Robertson, South Africa

21 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Such a beautiful wine for under $14, can’t ask for more. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, kiwi, pineapple, ginger, oak spice, vanilla & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Dill Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 20, 2021

LCBO: 278333

TOM GORE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

07 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine is overpriced as it tries to be a good Cali Chard but falls short. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apples, peach, pear, cooked pineapple, marzipan, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine taste better in the Chablis style wine glass vs the traditional Montrachet style.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Herb Chicken

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Nov 5, 2021

LCBO: 458810

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This balanced wine makes it one of the better oak aged Ontario Chards for under $20. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Using the right glass is key to enjoying this wine. Normally with an oak aged Chard I would use the larger open glassware. However, this wine is better with the Chablis style wine glass. I found the larger wine glass mutes the notes on this wine, while the Chablis glass lets these wonderful notes come to the surface.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 28, 2021

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2020, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

19 Tuesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Talmard
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made. This delicious Chard has finesse & elegance, all at a bargain price for this quality. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, peach, almonds, light ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery was founded in the 17th Century and is still family owned.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Roasted Portobello Pepper Caps with Goat Cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FOLIE À DEUX CHARDONNAY 2018, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

From one of my favourite AVA’s, this Chard doesn’t disappoint. Not only is this a beautiful full body, complex & balanced wine, but it’s also made under 14.5% alcohol. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, pear, pineapple, mango, kumquat, apricot, Allspice, caramel & honey.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 8, 2021

LCBO: 146951

MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER 2020, Pay D’Oc, France

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Camargue, Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gassier
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautifully made Viognier with richness, oiliness & full of flavour.  Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, nectarine & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Bio Organic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Tangerine Sage Rotisserie Chicken. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 29, 2021

LCBO: 669531

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality cool climate, Vegan friendly, Chardonnay that will get better with aging. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementine, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street Viscek Vineyard Chards have consistently been good.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with garlic roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Sept 11, 2021

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE BLANCS CHARDONNAY, NV, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $26.95 (Sale Price until Sept 30, 2021: $23.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery Stores
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol:  13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

This XD- Extra Dry sparkling wine is easy drinking, full body & well suited for those that don’t like the classic Champagne taste. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue, green & golden apples, pear, kumquat, pineapple, kiwi, nutmeg & vanilla.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: There’s an additional icewine dosage, which gives it the colour & tropical notes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Spicy Mahi Fish Tacos with homemade jicama slaw. 

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at the sales price

Tasted: Sept 5, 2021