Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cannonball Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Slightly above your average California Chard

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon pith, lemon tart and green & yellow apples. Medium+ body, mild tannins, good acidity and surprisingly a long length.

Negatives: A little too tart

Interesting Note: Had this wine at Luma restaurant and liked it, not so much now. Use the larger Montrachet glass as the smaller glass will make this wine truly one dimensional.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 13 Dec 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 311563

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple Chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Lots of lemon, lime, grapefruit, limestone followed by ginger and some caramel on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too tart for me.

Interesting Point: Better than the 2012 vintage but no where nearly as good as the  2011.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Spicy Indonesian Ginger Chicken.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 328559

Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Oakville, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Havens Winery
Alcohol: 15.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A bombastic Chard, & not for the faint at heart

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features lots of oak, ripe mango and pineapple, candy caramel covered apple (reminds me of the EX – Canadian Exhibition), crème brûlée and a touch of Grand Marnier soufflé. Full body average to good acidity and a fairly long length with the alcohol, a whopping 15.1%, is well integrated.

Negatives: More bark than bite.

Interesting Note: So the professional in me knows that this wine is lacking in the execution, but I am still intrinsically drawn to the flavour profile, especially with the food pairing.

Drink now or in the next 10 years (the fruit may come to the fore front) on its own or pair it with Snow Crab.

Tasted: 14 Dec 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 396259

Cost: $10.95 (Sale price: $9.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lindeman’s
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistent value Aussy Chard for $10

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, golden & green apples, grapefruit, pear, ginger, dill & a dusting of coconut. Medium+ body with high acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart on the finish

Interesting Note: More food friendly than just drinking on its own.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Coconut Shrimp with Mango Horseradish.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 142117