Category Archives: White Wines

AU CONTRAIRE CHARDONNAY 2014,Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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au-contraire

Cost: $18.99 (CI)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Au Contraire Wines
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting RRV Chard, in that it tastes better a day later

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features medium to light oak, lemon, grapefruit, coconut custard pie, marzipan, apple, pear and brown sugar on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Overtly citric with too much brown sugar on the nose

Interesting Note: The taste was better a day later as the overtly citric flavours had been muted out.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Four-Cheese Perogies with herb-butter sauce.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

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

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gastronomy-chard-1

Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love finding unique treasures, especially in Canadian wines, and this wine is one of them

Description: Bright straw to gold to in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple, clementine, clove, butterscotch, honey & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in barrel oaks for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Lemon Sole.

Tasted: 16 January 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

WILLIAM HILL NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY, 2014 Napa Valley, California, United States

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in White Wines

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william-hill-chard

Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant Chard

Description: Bright gold to in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pineapple, clementine, butterscotch, ginger, oak spice & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Baked Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs.

Tasted: 21 January 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 988840

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

Posted by in White Wines

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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

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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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

Posted by in White Wines

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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

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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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