Category Archives: White Wines

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2009, Russian River Valley, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

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Four Hearts

Cost: $49.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Four Hearts Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Tasted: 21 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 95919

WILLIAM HILL CHARDONNAY 2011, Central Coast, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

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William_Hill_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, on the sweeter style Chard.

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon candy, peach, sweet corn, mango & ripe pineapple. Full body with medium acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For $10 more the William Hill Napa Chard is far superior and worth the extra money. See my tasting notes 12 Nov 2012

Drink now on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

THE CRUSHER VIOGNIER 2012, Clarksburg, California, United States

09 Monday Dec 2013

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

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the crusher

Cost: $21.99 CI ($16.95 LCBO)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of the truest Viognier outside Condrieu. Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands for this recommendation

Positives: This full flavoured wine features Anjou pear, kumquat, green & yellow apple, apricot, peach, ginger, pineapple, green mango, honeydew melon & coconut. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The up & coming appellation of Clarksburg is surrounded by the cooling waterway of the Sacramento River Delta providing a signature marine climate. The clay & loam soils are rich, fed by runoff from the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, ensuring healthy fruit. Clarksburg encompasses 56,900 acres over an area 16 miles long & 8 miles wide. Warm summer days and cool nights typify the climate during the long, dry growing season.” (Crusher Winery)

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with spinach & raspberry vinaigrette.

Tasted: 9 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 361964

JEAN VINCENT 2011 SANCERRE, AOC Sancerre, Loire Valley, France

08 Sunday Dec 2013

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jean-vincent-sancerre-loire-france-10455038

Cost: $29.99 CI  
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jean Vincent Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. 

A full flavoured Sauvignon Blanc that will not disappoint

Positives: This wine features lime, wakame, Asian pear, gooseberry, grapefruit, green apples, limestone and a hint of grassiness on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Average price in US is $16 which would make it a best buy.  

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with conch ceviche.

Tasted: 8 Dec 2013

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 211490

DEINHARD GREEN LABEL RIESLING 2012, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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Green Labelä

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Deinhard
Alcohol: 10.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Riesling with kiss of sweetness.

Positives: This wine features green apples, pineapples, pink grapefruit, dill, peach, pears & light petrol on the nose. Medium minus body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chris Des La Rosa, via Go Cooking, Caribbean stuffed Jerk Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 8094

LINDEMAN’S BIN 95 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

21 Thursday Nov 2013

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lindemans_sauv_bl_web

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lindeman’s Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good Sauvignon Blanc that’s not overly tart, plus you can’t beat the price.

Positives: This wine features gooseberry, lime, guava, green apples and wet stone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, coconut milk soup with chicken.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 181388

JOSEPH PHELPS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, United States

15 Friday Nov 2013

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

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Joseph Phelphs

Cost: $37.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Phelps
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of the best Sauvignon Blancs I have ever tried.

Positives: This complex wine features mild oak, lemon-lime, kumquat, peach, gherkins, honeydew, white flowers, Asian pear and clarified butter on the finish.  Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Not your typical Sauvignon Blanc, which for me is a good thing.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with cherry/grape tomatoes with basil and Bufala mozzarella on a bed of arugula.

Tasted: 15 Nov 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO: 34546

WILLIAM HILL CHARDONNAY 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

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William Hill

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A luxurious Napa Chard that’s under $30.

Positives: This complex wine features medium toasted oak, butterscotch, orange, peach, pineapple, lemon meringue pie, mango and Easter lily on the nose.  Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass and don’t over chill this wine.

Drink now or over the next 6 years on its own or pair it with garlic shrimp scampi on a bed of angel hair.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2013

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 988840

ARTESA CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Artesa

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Artesa Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

A Chard that goes better with food then by itself.

Positives: This wine has light toasted oak with lemon, green apples, mandarin, pear, some guava and limestone.  Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A slight bitter aftertaste.

Interesting Point: I loved, loved, loved the 2010 vintage, unfortunately this one doesn’t measure up to that year. Use the smaller cooler climate Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 657585