Category Archives: White Wines

DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2021, AOP Vouvray, France

11 Saturday Nov 2023

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouray
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Donatien Bahuaud
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, refined and complex. Off dry but finishes with nice minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yellow Pitaya, lemon rind, peach, apples, pear, dried apricot, thyme, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with spicy fish tacos

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 8, 2023

LCBO: 140889

DOUGH CHARDONNAY 2020, North Coast, California, United States of America

28 Saturday Oct 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: North Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Dough Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice lean Cali Chard that keeps the alcohol in check & brings up nice tropical notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, pineapple, tangerine, lime, Fuji apple, baking spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Dough offers two needs-based $2,500 scholarships to students of George Brown College’s hospitality and culinary arts programs.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 27, 2023

LCBO: 25598

RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Friday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rapaura Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Expressive, elegant & complex Chard that will please those that like their Chards oaked or unoaked. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, low to medium intensity nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green apples, white cranberry, clementines, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, oak spice & flint.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Very surprised that the colour is not on the golden spectrum considering the alcohol and that it has oak influence.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Dungeness crab

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 28, 2023

LCBO: 19761

ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2021, Carneros, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Aug 2023

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

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Cost: $71.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold, luscious & buttery. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Butter on white toasted bread, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, D’Anjou pear, lemon meringue pie, crème brûlée, nutmeg, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: Increase in price from last year of $8

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 10, 2022

LCBO: 441089

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, spicy Chard. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, Golden apples, pear, white peach, toasted pineapple, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 11, 2023

DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITIONAL CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine Queylus
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice creamy Chard that’s balance with citric fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apple, pear, mandarin, almond, ginger, oak spice, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass With Lemon, Dill & Caper Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 8, 2023

LCBO: 417774

GIRARD CHARDONNAY 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

08 Saturday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $39.95 (Clearance Price: $32.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Girard Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, powerful & complex Cali Chard without the high alcohol. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Metallic gold in colour with good acidity, high intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mango, peach, golden apple, kumquat, pear, orange, crème brûlée, ginger, toasted oak & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with chicken marsala.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 7, 2023

LCBO: 276675

TAWSE SKETCHES CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Jul 2023

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until July 16, 2023: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced chard with good fruit & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, white peach, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, fresh fig, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Last time I reviewed this win was the 2009 vintage in 2013. The cost $19.95, which is the same as the cost now when it’s on sale.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 5, 2023

LCBO: 89037

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Saturday Jul 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Great year for wine in Niagara, great Chard at a great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pineapple, pear, peach, yellow plum, ginger, dill, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Hand harvested in late September and early October and immediately full-cluster pressed, then fermented and aged in French oak barrels of a variety of sizes (225L, 400L and 500L) and a variety of ages, averaging 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tails with Stelline and Lemon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 30, 2023

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

27 Tuesday Jun 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality cool climate with vibrant citric, tropical fruit and balanced oak . Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementines, pineapples, peach, ginger, dill, honeycomb, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:  “No sorting was required as the grapes were in pristine condition. The must was then transferred to a mix of 228L, 400L and 500L French oak where it underwent alcoholic and full malolactic fermentation. Following this, the wine was kept in contact with its fine lees for 12 months prior to being transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional 6 months of rest before bottling in February 2023, following light fining and filtration.” Winery 

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6 -8 years on its own or pair it with .

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick