Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oldenburg
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

At first taste there was no fruit just Oak spice, but after 30 min it just opened up to a good Chard

Description: Bright light to medium gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, oak spice, lemon tart, pineapple, dill, green apples, peach, ginger, dill and a hint of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Needs to decant  for 30 min to bring out the fruit. Both the cool climate and Montrachet style glassware work, just both very different.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Tai Pai Chicken.

Tasted: 6 Aug 2014

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

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

LCBO: 374645

Cost: $31.95 (Clearance price: 25.60)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Simi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

A woody Chard devoid of fruit that will only appeal to a discerning few

This wine features medium+ toasted oak, lemon candy, burnt sugar, caramel, cloves, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol & too much sourness on the finish

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or and pair it with Peruvian Pulpo al Olivo.

Tasted: 7 July 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Clearance price 8+/10), Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 200881

Cost: $28.75
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Truchard Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

The taste comes in layers with a good balance of fruit & oak

Positives: This complex wine features medium smoked toasted oak with lemon meringue, golden apple, clementine, pineapples, ginger, caramel, dill and Allspice. Full body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Coquille St. Jacques.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 60459

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Another solid wine for a good price from Rodney Strong winery

Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon rind, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, cantaloupe and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or and pair it with lemon and pepper grilled catfish.

Tasted: 24 June 2014

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

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

LCBO: 226936