Category Archives: White Wines

KENNETH VOLK CHARDONNAY 2009, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Kenneth Volk

Cost: $23.95 (Clearance price: $19.25)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Wine wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Maria Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kenneth Volk Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Too much oak and not enough fruit to balance it

Positives: This wine features medium+ toasted oak, marzipan, resin, baked apple & butterscotch. Full body and with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A lot of bitterness and lack of fruit

Interesting Point: It’s a screw cap which is unusual for California Chards.

Drink now and pair it with spicy crawfish gumbo.

Tasted: 13 February 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 233891

SAINT CLAIR PIONEER BLOCK 10 CHARDONNAY 2010, Omaka Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

07 Friday Feb 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment


Block

Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $20.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Omaka Valley, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Saint Clair Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

This Chard could compete with wines double its price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted spicy oak, lemon, pineapple, peach, Northern Spy apple, ginger, caramelized sugar & roasted marshmallow. Full body and with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Single vineyard whose grapes were mostly handpicked.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 7 February 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 317651

HILL SMITH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2010, Eden Valley, Austalia

07 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Hill Chard

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $15.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Eden Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hill-Smith Estate
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice cool climate Chard from Aussy land that has the right balance of fruit, oak, alcohol and price

Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, & limestone. Medium minus body and with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Waldorf Salad.

Interesting Point: I like seeing an Aussy Chard fermented in oak, but have only 13% alcohol.

Tasted: 5 February 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 361584

MAZZEI BELGUARDO VERMENTINO 2010, Toscana, Italy

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment


Belguardo

Cost: $22.09 CI
Grape Variety: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mezzei
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Try this crisp & tart wine that’s different from your Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigio etc.

Positives: This wine features lemon, nectarines, lots of minerality, slight oxidation and orange rind on the finish. Light to medium body with high acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled calamari.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s in recommending this wine.

Tasted: 7 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

05 Sunday Jan 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment


cloud break

Cost: $8.99 US
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cloudy Break Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Not a complex Chard, but oh so good & at under $10 you can’t lose

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, butter, lemon meringue, pineapple, coconut, flan, peach & golden apple. Medium to full body with good acidity & fairly long length.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with classic potato chips to custard desert.

Interesting Point: Nice to see a well balanced, in-expensive & creamy California Chard that is under $13

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Amazing Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

COLUMBIA CREST H3 CHARDONNAY 2009, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington St, University

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


H3

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A creamy full flavoured Chardonnay

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, wood smoke, lemon/lime, crème brulee, toffee, nutmeg, peanut brittle, vanilla & café con leche on the finish. Full body with average acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Interesting Point: I bought this wine at Costco in Florida for $11.99, which I think is priced right.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 287227

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2010, Russian River Valley, California, United States

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


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.

As good as the 2009 was, the 2010 exceeds it. I don’t want to be too technical, but yummy, yummy & yummy!

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

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2010 has a minerality that the 2009 lacks. The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with lobster for New Years Eve dinner.

Tasted: 27 Dec 2013

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 95919

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

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


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

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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