Spier 2020 Signature Chenin Blanc - 87pts

Spier 2020 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99-14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 22nd, 2021

Tasting Notes: A crisp, clean and straight-forward Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape with a touch of RS on the refreshing, citrus and exotic fruit flavoured palate and with a generous nose of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apple, peach pit and macadamia nut aromas. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca 

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Chenin Blanc - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 3900 cases
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Such a consistently, well-produced wine, the Quails' Gate is always fresh and vibrant with refreshing, tangy acidity and an appealing combination of mouth-watering citrus, stonefruit, lemon grass and fresh-off-the-tree peach. The 2019 edition offers a particularly long, satisfying finish.

A flexible white to pair with, from savoury, rice bowls to fish to salads. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chenin Blanc - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 3900 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A wonderfully crisp and refreshing wine with that telltale, unmistakable Chenin twang; a sassy blend of quince, stonefruit, lemon grass, brine and under-ripe peach. Blended with 8% Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the citrus and aromatic elements on subtle nose and the mouth-watering palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Anthonij Rupert Wyne 2017 Protea Chenin Blanc - 86pts

Anthonij Rupert Wyne 2017 Protea Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A flash of candied ginger opens the nose of the Western Cape Chenin Blanc with aromas of melon and citrus fruit following swiftly. The mouth-watering and fleshy palate is lightly off-dry offering candied, citrus acidity like the sweet'n'tangy fruit slice confections of old, to balance the profile of apricot, melon, peach and tangerine flavours. Finish is a bit short, though, a touch of spice lingers briefly. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chenin Blanc - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3000 cases
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A consistently well-produced and refreshingly crisp Chenin Blanc, sourced from multiple vineyard sites in the Okanagan Valley, with plenty of texture and layers of stone fruit, lemon grass, minerals, lees and orchard fruit. Again we see 10% Sauvignon Blanc blended in to enhance the nose and citrus elements on the mouth-watering palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Chenin Blanc - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Chenin Blanc (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4000 cases
Date Tasted: August 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: True to the house style and composition with 10% Sauvignon Blanc blended in to enhance the citrus, melon and stone fruit characters of this popular, Summer sipper. Fresh and vibrant with a crisp presentation and some body from smooth lees and canned peach notes. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Spier 2016 Signature Chenin Blanc - 87pts

Spier 2016 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.49-13.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 21st, 2017

Tasting Notes: A generous nose of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apple, stone and citrus fruit and macadamia nut aromas greet you on the nose of this delicious and refreshing Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. Though it finishes a tad quickly, the lightly-spiced palate has good balance between its tart, citrus characters and its full-ish, creamy-esque texture. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca 

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Chenin Blanc - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Chenin Blanc (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 4690 cases
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from West Kelowna and Osoyoos vineyards, the 2015 edition of this popular, mouth-watering and pungent wine opens with a vibrant and bold nose of citrus, tropical and stone fruit aromas followed by lemon zest infused palate with alternating layers of smooth lees, citrus acidity, canned peaches and cool, river stone minerality. The finish is long with a touch of lingering spice. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Spier 2015 Signature Chenin Blanc - 88pts

Spier 2015 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2016

Tasting Notes: An extremely well-priced Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape with zesty citrus, macadamia nut, Golden Delicious apple and stone fruit aromas on the nose. The palate offers good continuity with a similar profile of both zesty citrus flavours and richer, creamy tones from baked apple/pear and brioche. Refreshing citrus peel, mineral and spice notes linger briefly on the balanced finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca 

Road 13 Vineyards 2014 Old Vines Chenin Blanc - 90pts

Road 13 Vineyards 2014 Old Vines Chenin Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $27 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 599 cases
Date Tasted: November 24th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A true cult favourite of the Okanagan Valley and worthy of its 'Old Vines' moniker. Sourced from vines planted in 1968, this Chenin Blanc offers delicate and complex aromas of kiwi fruit, minerals, apricot, lime, ripe peach and raw honey on the subtle nose. The palate is concentrated and full-ish with body and texture from 6.5g/l of residual sugar and succulent, tropical fruit flavours. Achieves balance by virtue of Chenin's natural, bombastic acidity and cool minerality. The finish is long. Oh so long. (Thank you 47 year old vines!) Drink now-2018+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca 

The Painted Wolf Wines 2014 The Den Chenin Blanc - 88pts

The Painted Wolf Wines 2014 The Den Chenin Blanc (W.O. Swartland) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, well-balanced and extremely well-priced Chenin Blanc from South Africa with zesty citrus, rich apple and light mineral aromas on the nose. The palate opens with a kick of zesty citrus fruit that quickly transitions to creamy, off-dry texture mid-palate and then circles back to tongue-tingling citrus zest for the (slightly) spicy finish. Delicious. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca 

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Chenin Blanc - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Chenin Blanc (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3500 cases
Date Tasted: May 3rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: BC Chenin Blanc is in short supply. In fact, only three BC wineries come to mind who produce this punchy, citrus-infused, acidic white variety whose origin can be traced to France's Loire Valley, though, it's probably best known as South Africa's signature white varietal. BC's own production is a mere blip, internationally speaking. Yet, for two producers, Quails' Gate and Road 13, Chenin Blanc has developed a cult following and become a 'must-try' of their portfolios.

Why? Well, Quails' Gate's offering is Summertime trapped in a bottle. It's vibrant, juicy, intense and oh-so mouth-watering, thanks to Chenin Blanc's high level of natural acid, without ever feeling sharp or out-of-balance. A mixture of citrus and tropical fruit aromas carry through to the dry palate where they are complimented by a cool blast of river stone minerality and lemon zest. The finish is long with a touch of lingering spice. Ready to go now. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

2006 Chateau Gaudrelle - 87pts

2006 Chateau Gaudrelle (Vouvray) Loire Valley - France

Availability: BCLDB Stores

Cost: $24.99

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2009

Tasting Notes: The Loire Valley produces many diverse and satisfying Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc wines. The Vouvray appellation is a prominent producer of crisp and complex Chenin Blanc with strong minerality.

On the muted nose you get find aromas of green-apple and candied-dry apples with mineral notes. On the medium-bodied palate you will find youthful flavours of pineapple, lime stone and cooking spices with a slight underlying taste of chalk and high acidity. Subtle complexity increases with more time in the glass creating gentle aromatics on the nose. Well balanced and approachable now. Drink now through 2013. - LC

SKU 309567 UPC 3466600710041

Saxenburg 2007 Guinea Fowl White - 87pts

Saxenburg 2007 Guinea Fowl White (W.O. Coastal Region) South Africa

Availability: Widely available, BCLDS stores, Private wine shops

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 13.0%

Date Tasted: November 10th, 2009

Tasting Notes: Saxenburg is a large South African producer who have a number of different lines of wines on offer but few make it Canada. Their Guinea Fowl wines (a red and white blend) do make it over and showcase the unique flavours of the country. In the case of the Guinea Fowl white, it is a blend of two classic South African white varietals: Chenin Blanc and Viognier (68% and 32% respectively) and a tasty one at that.

On the nose this pale gold coloured wines offers medium intensity aromas of fresh citrus and tropical fruits. On the palate you get flavours of tropical fruits, lemon zest and honey dew with a touch of sweetness on the finish. Nice mineral notes and good crispness from medium-plus acidity make it a great match for sparingly spiced light fish. Drink now. - LC