Category Archives: White Wines

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

08 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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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

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

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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

FERRARI-CARANO CHARDONNAY 2011, Sonoma County, California, United States

27 Sunday Oct 2013

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Ferrari

Cost: $28.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari Carano Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An eloquent Chard that would be well suited for a black tie affair.

Positives: This complex wine features integrated oak, lightly buttered toast, lemon, tangerine, green apple, McIntosh apple, peach, pineapple, honeydew melon, caramel, crème brũlée and limestone.  Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.1% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Two different Chard glasses, two different tastes. If you use the larger glass you gain more creaminess, but loose some citric notes and vice versa with the smaller cool climate glass.

Drink now or over the next 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Capon with Tarragon Butter and Mango Relish.

Tasted: 26 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 295055

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in White Wines

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Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kendall-Jackson
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good Chard for under $20

Positives: This wine features light oak, oak spice, lemon, green apples, some nutmeg, peach, pear and white flower on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

Tasted: 23 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 369686

GRAY FOX CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Gray Fox

Cost: $8.25
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gray Fox Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light yellow in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

It’s hard to find a budget conscious Chard that you won’t want to spit out and this one succeeds. The larger 1.5ltr is only 14.45.

Positives: A simple, somewhat soft Chard featuring light oak, lemon candy, golden apples, some oak spice and pears. Also nice to see this Chard is only 13% in alcohol. Medium body with medium acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with a chicken dish.

Tasted: 23 Oct 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: 614271