Cost: $54.95 (sale price $34.55)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Fob
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with medium intensity nose.

Positives: Lemon zest, green apple, celery, kiwi & limestone. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: There is nothing wrong with this chard, but I just expected more at this price.

Drink now in its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 19 Feb 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 225359

Cost: $44.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Kumeu
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kumeu River Wines Limited
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium+ nose.

Positives: Firstly, I like to point out that this is a big complex chard with 13.5% alcohol. This is not a typo, yes 13.5%, not 14.5% or 15.5%. Still can’t believe it & thank you Brajkovich family. On with the notes. Classic chard notes tilting more toward citric flavours with minerality & don’t expect it to be really buttery. Pity. Medium to medium+ body, good acidity with long length.

Negatives: Too much alcohol. Oh wait wrong wine lol.

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill it as you’ll loose all the complexity that this wine has to offer.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for up to 5 years. Pair it with my wife’s saffron seared scallops. Really you should try it.

Tasted: 12 Feb 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 204032

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wakefield Wines Pty Ltd.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “A ripe, luscious, peach-, nectarine- and citrus-scented wine with well-integrated creamy oak tones. This clean, balanced, and fruity wine is an excellent match for roast pork, mushroom risotto and, as the producer suggests, Chinese spice-encrusted duck.” LCBO

Gold in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: An inoffensive chard that should please the masses. Notes of lemon, nectarine, peach, apple, some wet stone & a light creamy oak finish.

Negatives: None.

A food friendly chard that is also easy to drink on its own. Priced fairly.

Tasted: 10 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 711556

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Santa Maria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Fob
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep gold in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: A powerful nose showing creme brûlée, buttered popcorn, peaches & cream corn and medium toasted oak. The taste is more refined showing lemon, apple crumble pie, creme brûlée, mango, pineapple, butter popcorn, peaches & cream corn with a medium tossed oak. Full body, good acidity, long finish & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The powerful nose is a little too much that it detracts from the enjoyment of drinking the wine. Pity.

Interesting Point: Use the large Chard glass.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 10 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 393892