Category Archives: White Wines

GHOST PINES WINEMAKER’S BLEND CHARDONNAY 2019, 53% Sonoma, 27% Napa, 20% Mendocino Counties, California, United States of America

10 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price: $19.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: 53% Sonoma, 27% Napa, 20% Mendocino Counties
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ghost Pines
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a really good Cali Chard, so not surprisingly it sells out when the LCBO puts in on sale a few times each year. This wine has a nice balance, smooth & just pleasant to drink. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, pineapple, pear, honeydew melon, butter, vanilla, light oak spice, ginger & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: The 2018 vintage was somewhat better than this recent 2019 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years & pair it with Butter Chicken with Garlic-Ginger Masala.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 9, 2020

LCBO: 308122

BERINGER FOUNDERS’ ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $14.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced between the fruit, oak & at least it’s under the usual high alcohol now commonly found in Cali Chards. Unfortunately for me, there’s too much marzipan & mustard greens on the finish, which detracts from any pleasure I get. However, with the right food pairing that could change. Score: 85/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, cooked apples, marzipan, pear, fig, vanilla & mustard greens on the finish.

Negatives: Too much marzipan & mustard greens on the finish.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Spicy Pork and Mustard Greens Soup.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: December 9, 2020

LCBO: 534230

GRAN MEDALLA CHARDONNAY 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

01 Tuesday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Uco Vally, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trapiche
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I really like the heavy bottle, the label & most importantly I love this full body, spicy Chard. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, meringue, dill, ginger, brioche, limestone & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-9 years & pair it with Quail roasted with honey cumin and orange.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price, Top Pick

Tasted: November 30, 2020

LCBO: 14599

CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMITO CHARDONNAY 2019, IGT, Umbria, Italy

25 Wednesday Nov 2020

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castello dela Sala
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A different style Chard that you wouldn’t normally find here in Ontario as it some oak, citric fruit, mild spice, minerality & smoothness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, green apples, pear, persimmon, dill, cardamom, limestone & clay.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-6 years & pair it with persimmon risotto with pancetta and goat cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 25, 2020

LCBO: 176792

JULES TAYLOR CHARDONNAY 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Saturday Nov 2020

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jules Taylor Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful complex & spicy Chard at a great price. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, clementine, cloves, ginger, dill, oak spice & limestone.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with creamy risotto with roasted chicken thighs topped with fresh spring onion.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 21, 2020

LCBO: 14566

BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY 2019, South Africa

20 Friday Nov 2020

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boschendal
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A well priced Chard that’s pleasant to drink, which has balance between the oak, the fruit & acidity. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger & oak spice.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with grilled peppercorn & salt scallops on a bed of spaghettini in olive oil & basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 19, 2020

LCBO: 367698

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2018, Carneros, California, United States of America

17 Tuesday Nov 2020

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.

Is this an expensive Chard? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Has Rombauer Chard been my favourite Chard bar none for the past 2 decades? Yes. Why? Rombauer makes what I love in a Chard, which it needs to be balanced between the oak, the fruit, the spiciness, the acidity & the mouth feel, as well as being complex. Score: 96/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, Fuji apple, peach, Edward mango, pineapple, papaya, ginger, dill, light oak spice, salted butter, vanilla, limestone & Easter Lily on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So why not give this vintage a 99 or 100/100? Although I really love this vintages, I have tasted vintages from Rombauer that were even better.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 years & pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2020

LCBO: 441089

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY, 2018 California, United States of America

16 Monday Nov 2020

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until: Nov 29, 2020)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced barrel fermented Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & some creaminess all without having the high alcohol that Chards from California seem to be the norm. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & golden apples, peach, toasted pineapple, papaya, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2020

LCBO: 369686

NIAGAR COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario

15 Sunday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Better than the standard New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc as this has more complexity to it. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with high acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features gooseberry, passion fruit, kiwi, tangerine & fresh cut grass.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Mahi Mahi ceviche marinated in lemon/orange juice & served with red onions, basil & orange slices.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 15, 2020

KACABA FUMÉ BLANC 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

There’s quality in this Fumé that has a nice crispness at the beginning & ending with a roundness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. Wine features lime, kiwi, gooseberry, green apple, shale rock & flint.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with ceviche.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 26, 2020