IconScores.ca: Chardonnay

Showing posts with label Chardonnay. Show all posts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Chardonnay - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $34 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2023

@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: True to the house style, delivering an oaked, ripe Chardonnay with a pleasing juxtaposition of plump, popcorn-melon, malolactic fermentation notes and vibrant, citrus'n'stonefruit tangy characters that keep the nose fresh and the palate crisp. Oak influence is deliciously employed throughout this food-friendly, full-yet-refreshing Chardonnay which should be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2026.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2023

Tasting Notes: A rich and robust Chardonnay sourced from the Naramata Bench which offers a boisterous nose of both Tropical and orchard fruit with zesty lemon notes, a touch of minerality and malolactic, buttery goodness, . Lots of texture on the equally intense, leesy palate thanks to time in oak and to its mouth-watering acidity from crisp apple and citrus flavours. A peaches'n'cream, wrap-you-in-a-warm-blanket-but-keep-you-awake-with-a shot-of-lemon Chardonnay to be sure. Drink now-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Chardonnay - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A peaches'n'cream styled Chardonnay with a lovely nose delivering, fresh stonefruit, ripe melon, Golden apple and warm bread aromas. Stonefruit and melon are most prominent on the well-balanced, full-ish palate made pleasantly tangy thanks to copious amounts of citrus acidity. Oak influence is deliciously employed throughout this food-friendly, full-yet-refreshing Chardonnay which should be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 188 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Fresh and tropical on the nose with a layer of candied fruit, the Saddle Block is one of two Chardonnay the East Kelowna winery produces using the same, Burgundian clone and, presumably, the same, general techniques. Sourced from their home vineyards, this is an uber-expressive, operatic wine with over-the-top intensity and lots of tangy acidity on the tropical'n'melon flavoured palate. It won't be for everyone, especially those expecting the predictable comfort of a partially-oaked, refined Chardonnay. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 490 cases (750ml) + 48 magnums
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Offers some of the tropical fruit notes of its East Kelowna-sourced, portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay, but otherwise stands on its own with a unique blend of elegant and party-boat characters. Fruit cup and a medley of ripe and tangy orchard aromas and flavours pair nicely with a touch of minerality, subtle savoury elements and a gentle kiss of oak. Finish is long and well balanced. Drink 2022-2025.

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2022
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: Always a crowd-pleaser, except for only the most fervent of the ABC militia, the 2021 La Frenz Chardonnay holds to the winery's "Peaches and Cream" style delivery comfort food in-a-glass. There's a bit more (and very welcomed) stone fruit acidity on the well balanced and approachable palate with juicy, fruit-cup characters throughout and a nice combination of bright, orchard fruit and creamy, baked pear flavours on the satisfying finish. Drink now-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 169 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay, using the same Burgundian clone 95 as its portfolio cousin from the Naramata Bench, is sourced from the winery's home vineyard in East Kelowna and offers a similar flavour profile but with a more elegant and balanced result. Here the oak treatment is subtle and lovingly structures the happy marriage of ripe orchard and melon fruit to the lively, tanginess of the citrus fruit. The finish is long and balanced. Drink 2021-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $42
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 485 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from a vineyard on the Naramata Bench planted exclusively with the Burgundian, Clone 95, similar to its portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay. This Naramata version is full and generous with both melon and orchard fruit throughout. Balance is attained through the existence of fresh and tangy citrus fruit present on the expressive nose and refreshing palate. Oak treatment is a bit heavy with with lingering wood bitters on the lime rind'n'spice-infused finish. Drink 2021-2024.

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $20.78 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2021
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: The La Frenz, Peaches'n'Cream Chardonnay is comfort food in-a-glass, delivering a likability score of... Yum! Well balanced and approachable with juicy, fruit-cup aromas and flavours and a clean backbone of nectarine acidity to keep the finish crisp. You will finish the bottle after you open it, be warned, and don't age this Chardonnay more than 1-2 years, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2023.

SpearHead Winery 2018 Chardonnay "Clone 95" - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Chardonnay "Clone 95" (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $30 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 576 cases

Date Tasted: September 14th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of clone 95 Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Naramata Bench and the winery's home vineyard in East Kelowna, fermented and aged in oak (40% new) and allowed (or encouraged) to go through a secondary, malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is crisp (as all Chardonnay should be), well-balanced, smooth and rich without ever feeling over-done or heavy. Look for both refreshing notes of acidic, orchard fruit and savoury, flavours of macadamia nuts and vanilla-kissed scones.

Ready to go now, though, it should hold for 2-3 more years. Sealed with a Stelvin cap to lock-in freshness. Drink now-2023.

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Chardonnay - 85pts

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Chardonnay (Peachland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from very young vines in Peachland, this light-weight Chardonnay presents a tangy-peach profile on the muted nose and on the mouth-watering palate where light mineral and a hint of bitter lemon rind notes linger briefly. An un-oaked Chardonnay for a hot deck and fresh salads. Drink now-2022.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Chardonnay - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A peach'n'cream styled Chardonnay with a blockbuster nose that spills out of the glass delivering sweet melon fruit, Golden apple and warm, bread crust aromas. A wisp of fresh citrus and a hint of mineraly, stonefruit on the developing bouquet adds dimension and forms the connected tissue that bridges beautifully to the mouth-watering, pleasantly tangy palate. Oak influence is deliciously employed throughout this food-friendly, full-yet-refreshing Chardonnay. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Chardonnay - 86pts

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: April 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Though stainless steel ferented, this Chardonnay is fairly rich with a nice combination of orchard and citrus fruit characters and some rounded edges (likely) due to a partial, malolactic fermentation which softens the natural acidity and contributes a touch of melon and tropical fruit into the final profile. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Boschendal Wines 2017 '1685' Chardonnay - 89+pts

Boschendal Wines 2017 '1685' Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A buttery and citrus delight with a touch of mineral notes throughout, this intense Chardonnay is a delight, especially at this price-point. 70% is fermented and aged in oak with the balance vinified in neutral, stainless steel. Look for lemon drop, pear, grapefruit, honeydew, creamy butter and leesy characters making it a perfect wine for all things lobster. Ready to go now or hold for further development over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay - 90-91pts

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30.35 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 387 cases
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A fully oaked (30% new, 15% 2nd fill and 55% neutral), melon and citrus fruit flavoured Chardonnay sourced from two central Okanagan vineyards that went through a spontaneous, secondary, or 'malolactic' fermentation during élevage, softening the naturally high level of acid and constructing a balanced wine with omnipresent, yet, subtle oak structure and complimentary buttered scone notes.

Length is a bit short, today, though should lengthen with more time in the cellar which will also allow the background, savoury notes time to blossom and integrate with the fruit. Come back in 2 years. Drink 2021-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2018 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - 88pts

JoieFarm 2018 Un-Oaked Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Private wine shops
Cost: $24-26 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 438 cases, 21 kegs
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from, predominantly, vineyards on the Skaha Bench with addition grapes coming from the Oliver Twist vineyard in Oliver. This un-oaked Chardonnay is both bright and weighted with a refreshing combination of citrus and tropical fruit on the lifted nose and the vibrant, medium-plus bodied palate. The finish is long and balanced with a touch of spice accompanying the lingering lemon/lime zest flavours. Ready to go now. Drink-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 Unoaked Chardonnay - 88pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Unoaked Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 778 cases
Date Tasted: July 4th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Though unoaked, this is a rich Chardonnay with, at least, partial malolactic fermentation, providing balance the naturally high acid level in the Burgundian grape and supporting the medley of orchard fruit on offer; apples, pears and peaches. Refreshingly crisp, but never harsh, with a touch of RS on the palate, this is an excellent Chardonnay to pair with Greek food like pork souvlaki with all the fixins'. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Chardonnay - 88pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 625 cases
Date Tasted: June 22nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: An un-oaked, yet, rounded, well-balanced Chardonnay sourced from the winery's Okanagan Falls vineyard showing solid orchard and citrus fruit throughout with a susurrus of aromatics and offering nice tension on the palate through to a crisp finish. Ready to go now and sealed with aStelvin cap to lock-in the freshness of the fruit and acidity. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2017 Chardonnay - 87pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2017 Chardonnay - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 645 cases
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Though based in Kamloops, Monte Creek Ranch's Chardonnay is produced with fruit sourced from two Okanagan Valley sites, one on the Naramata Bench and the other near McIntyre Bluff. The style is big and bold and will appeal to those who love some texture and oak influence in their Chardonnay. Nose is fantastically oaky and charged with MLF aromas (those love'em or hate'em, buttery popcorn notes) and lively, Tropical fruit. Finish is a bit short for such a flavourful wine but the balance is solid for this price-point. Enjoy this Chardonnay in its youth. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay - 91+pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $39.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: approx 1100 cases
Date Tasted: March 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Oh so elegant and smooth, this French oak kissed Chardonnay is both rich and focused with a full-ish body, juicy peach and nectarine aromas and flavours supported by concentrated minerality on the nose and palate which elevate the balance and structure. A long-lasting finish offers lingering citrus zest, signature macadamia nuts and a hint of exotic spices.

A versatile Chardonnay that will pair with classic, white pasta and seafood dishes, hard cheeses and be comfortably served alone. Ready to go now or hold for further development over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2019-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

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