Category Archives: White Wines

CLOSSON CHASE, THE BROCK CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Jan 2025

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Cost: $22.10
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced Chard between oak & steel tank. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, golden apples, yellow plums, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice & Gorse flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 7, 2025

LCBO: 20899

THE GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD, COUNTY CHARDONNAY, 2022, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $35.20 (Clearance Price: $24.70)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Grange Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, elegant, well-balanced Chard. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mangos, yellow plums, golden apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting: At the winery, cost is $31.00

Winemaker’s Note: “This elegant, terroir driven Chard is part of our Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships we have with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.10 Months in French Oak (1/3 new barrel)”. Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tail Pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

LCBO: 38305

WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, 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: California
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Chard that is balanced, elegant & beautifully made. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, nutmeg, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery list this wine cost at $32.00

Winemaker’s Note: “hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. No sulphur added at time of crushing. Barrel fermented. 100% wild yeast and partial malolactic fermentation) barrel aged 100% French oak for 10 months. 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Vanilla Bean Bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 20, 2024

LCBO: 424507

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2023, Carneros, California, Unites States of America

16 Saturday Nov 2024

Posted by in 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: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful Chard. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, butter toast, green apples, pear, peach, cloves, nutmeg, almonds, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Note: 2023 vintage is not as good as previous ones, and this vintage the alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes were gently whole-cluster pressed while the fruit was still cool. The juice was pumped to tank to cold-settle overnight before it was racked to barrel for primary and malolactic fermentations. The lees were stirred every 7-10 days to give the wine rich flavors and a creamy texture. 9 months in American and French oak barrels (35% new).” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Alaska King Crab in a Warm Lemon-Cilantro Sabayon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 15, 2024

LCBO: 441089

JEFFERSON VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2022, Monticello, Virginia, United States of America

01 Friday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States of America
Region: Monticello, Virginia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Jefferson Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made with lots of fruits & spiciness and not high on the alcohol. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, kumquat, cloves, nutmeg, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 9 months in oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fontina.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 1, 2024

CLAY SHANNON EL COYOTE CHARDONNAY 2021, Lake County, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $25.99 (Clearance price: $14.99)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Giant Grocery, Virginia
Country: United States of America
Region: Lake County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Shannon Family of Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, but not overtly high alcohol Cali Chard that tastes a lot better at the clearance price. Score: 85/100.

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, cantaloupe, marzipan, kumquat, golden apples, nutmeg, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3years on its own or pair it with Yang Nyum Chicken.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: October 3, 2024

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Sunday Sep 2024

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Cost: $37.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A musky style, quality but at a price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, cantaloupe, blood orange, guava, vanilla & musk.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-harvested from a unique Chardonnay clonal planting in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were gently pressed using a long and slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) for 10 months of aging before bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Tandoori chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: September 27, 2024

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET ROSÉ 2021, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Friday Sep 2024

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice crisp rosé versatile with food. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Orange-Red in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were harvested and loaded directly into the press. Cold juice settling and racking was followed by inoculation with non-aroma enhancing organic yeast and a cool fermentation that spanned four weeks. Fermentation was halted early to leave a slight residual sugar to balance acidity and alcohol. Bentonite clay fining was used prior to sterile filtration and bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 16, 2024

LCBO: 279117

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2022, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

07 Saturday Sep 2024

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

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Cost: $20.95
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: 94/100.

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

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed Oct 18, 2021. 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 shrimp tempura.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FERRARI CARANO TRÉ TERRE CHARDONNAY 2022, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

24 Saturday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $23.95 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Costco, Virginia, United States of America
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ferrari Carano
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made full body, complex Chard for those that like oaked Chards & one of the best, especially at this price. Score: 95/100.

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, peach, pineapple, apricot, pear, golden apples, dill, ginger, crème brûlée, meringue, oak spice, cinnamon, roasted almonds & Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Each lot for this wine is hand harvested, whole-cluster pressed, then barrel fermented with native and cultured yeast. The wine completes 89% malolactic fermentation and is sur lee aged and stirred weekly for 5 months. The final blend was assembled in June, 2019, and the wine is barreled again in neutral oak until bottling, for a total of almost 15 months of barrel aging. All vineyard lots are treated separately until blending.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with cooked lobster on a campfire.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 23, 2024