Category Archives: White Wines

NORMAN HARDIE NIAGARA UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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norman

Cost: $39.95 (Clearance price: $31.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Norman Hardie
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario’s best Chards

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features buttered toast, oak, lemon, green apple, pineapple, nectarine, peach, cashews, dill, ginger, butterscotch and peat smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Poached Pears.

Tasted: 3 December 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 184432

LA CREMA RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2014, Russian River Valley, California, United States

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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la-crema

Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: La Crema
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, balanced, juicy & delicious

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange rind, peach, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, coconut, hazelnut, honeydew melon, honeysuckle on the nose and a hint of butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it wit Tuna Tartare served with Avocado Brunoise, Sweet & Sour Sauce, White Truffle Oil and Red Caviar

Tasted: 19 November 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 67231

MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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malivoire

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Malivoire
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Tangy & bright with a nice balance of the oak

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon, yellow apple, pineapple, clementine, honeydew melon, pear, dill and butterscotch. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Aged Cheddar Fondue with Grilled Tomatoes, Bacon and Shallots.

Tasted: 2 December 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 573147

MACMURRAY RANCH PINOT GRIS 2014, Russian River Valley, California, United States

04 Sunday Dec 2016

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m-pinot-gris

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.10)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: MacMurray Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

If it wasn’t for the noticeable sulphur this would have been excellent

Description: Bright light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features white peach, pear, honeydew melon, fig and honeysuckle. Medium+ body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Noticeable sulphur

Interesting Note: Clearance price is the correct price point for this wine

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Calamari.

Tasted: 25 November 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 47787

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2015, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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wente

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced tropical fruit with oak in this well priced California Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light buttered toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, coconut, dill, ginger, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Drink from the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Halibut Primavera.

Tasted: 18 October 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 175430

DUTTON GOLDFIELD DUTTON RANCH CHARDONNAY 2012, Russian River Valley, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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dutton

Cost: $47.25
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dutton Ranch
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

You’re paying for what you’re getting, an excellent California Chard
Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, nutmeg, butterscotch, coconut, pine, dill, ginger, vanilla, oak spice and smoked roasted walnuts on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine as it will mute all its favours. Love the fact that the wine is plush & full body while being 13.5% alcohol.

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onions.

Tasted: 22 October 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.9/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 287854

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2016

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closson

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée 

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.

Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017

Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10)  Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10)  Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)

LCBO: 148866

DOMAINE DE LA BAUME ELISABETH VIOGNIER 2014, IGP Pays D’oc, Southern France

22 Saturday Oct 2016

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elisabeth

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: South France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine De La Baume
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

How a Viognier should be, smooth, oily with tropical & citric fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, lychee, mango, orange, pink grapefruit, honey and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Drink now or in 5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 8 September 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 438796

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

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chateau-des-charmes-chard

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, not complex but full flavoured Chard

Description: Straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon meringue, pineapple, kumquat, pear, backed apple, buttered popcorn, oak spice and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: The intense nose may deter some people

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 81653

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CHARDONNAY 2015, Padthaway Adelaide Hills, Australia

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

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wolf-blass-yellow-label-chard

Cost: $15.10 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $12.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Padthaway & Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking crisp yet balanced Chard

Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon/lime, pineapple, apple crumble pie, grapefruit, light oak spice and flint on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Touch sulphur on the finish

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Wahoo Citrus Ceviche. 

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 226860