Category Archives: White Wines

GEN5 CHARDONNAY 2013, Lodi, California

26 Tuesday Jan 2016

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Gen5

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lange Family Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice Californian Chard that’s not overtly oaked or sweet, but balanced

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, nectarine, and dragon fruit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Interesting Note: Gen5 was founded in 2007 by the fifth generation of the Lange family, who began their Lodi agricultural adventures in 1870, when their great-great-grandparents emigrated from Germany and began farming watermelons.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Tuna and Wahoo Tartare with Avocado and Sesame dressing.

Tasted: 21 January 2016

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

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

LCBO: 441121

LANZERAC CHARDONNAY 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

20 Wednesday Jan 2016

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Lanzerac

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

An elegant & delicious Chard that shows like it’s double it’s cost

Description: Bright rich gold in colour with a medium nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon pie, peach, mango, oak spice, vanilla, crème brûlée and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Lanzerac was established in 1692, is one of the oldest wineries in the Cape.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Medallions with Lemon Butter Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 971929

BENZIGER CHARDONNAY 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States

15 Friday Jan 2016

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Benziger

Cost: $18.49 (Cayman Dollars) $19.95 Canadian
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Benziger
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance between fruit, spice & oak

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lemon, green apples, peach, oak spice, ginger, dill, Lily on the nose and some creaminess on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

After 3 hours the wine really opened up, going from citric to tropical fruit and then some. The wine further featured mango, pineapple and caramel.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Certified sustainable grape growing program

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Chicken with Brie and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 14 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 34777 (Currently 2013 not on the shelves yet)

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT GRIS 2010, East Coast, New Zealand

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Villa Maria Pinot Gris

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: New Zealand
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, creamy & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features honeysuckle, wakame, dragon fruit, lemon zest, yellow apple and Anjou pear. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try this New Zealand Pinot Gris instead of Sauvignon Blanc, you won’t be disappointed

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Poached Flounder in Orange Lemon Sauce.

Tasted: 13 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236

INNISKILLIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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Inniskilin

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A truly enjoyable well balanced Chard with lots of finesse.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green & red apples, pineapple, oak spice, dill, some ginger and lightly buttered. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the more enjoyable and better priced Ontario Chards.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 383562

MCMANIS CHARDONNAY 2014, River Junction, California

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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McManis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: United States
Region: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well balanced & elegant California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill and butterscotch on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ginger and Honey Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 30 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 265983

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Southbrook

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced & elegant Ontario chard with finesse that can go up against Napa Chards priced higher

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic grapes used and it’s a screw top. I was fortunate to find this wine at the clearance price, and bought the 7 bottles they had.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter.

Tasted: 1 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 172338

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2014, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Wente Chard

Cost: $17.95
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.

Well made California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green-yellow-red apples, honeydew melon, pineapple and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Apple Slow Cooked Pork Chops.

Tasted: 29 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 175430

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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Featherstone.

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting story, too bad the wine is also all about oak

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon tarts, guava, passion fruit, oak spice, vanilla and taffy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too much oak and sour long finish

Interesting Note: Grapes sources from Niagara Peninsula, using wild fermented yeast and aged in local oaked barrels.

Drink now or in the next 3 years. Needs food so soften the wine up. Pair it with Chicken Alfredo with Nutmeg and Bacon.

Tasted: 25 Dec 2015

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

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

LCBO: 149302