Showing posts with label unoaked-chardonnay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unoaked-chardonnay. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedTuesday, November 14, 2023

Alvi's Drift Signature Chardonnay 2021 (South Africa) - Wine Review



white wine review is a delicious, sustainably-crafted, unoaked Chardonnay from South Africa that arrived at the LCBO over the summer in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - and still available for purchase right now.

It is produced by Alvi's Drift Winery, an award-winning, family-owned winery that was founded by Alvi van der Merwe and his wife, Hester, in the early 2000s. Although the winery is relatively new, its roots go back to 1928, when a young, unknown rugby player by the name of Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe - "Alvi" to his friends - made history by scoring the first try in history against the All Blacks on African soil. A few years before retiring from rugby, Oupa (Grandad) Alvi acquired a piece of fertile farmland nestled on the banks of the Breede River in the Western Cape's majestic Breede River Valley. In 1930, a low-water bridge was built across the river running through the property to allow locals easier access to the land. This bridge was locally christened, and still known today as "Alvi's Drift", after Oupa Alvi, as he was instrumental in building it.

Today, the farm is in the hands of Alvi van der Merwe, the grandson of Oupa. He has turned both the farm and the family legacy for crafting exceptional wines into a vision that surpassed all expectations. Alvi is widely known for being a perfectionist, while also being dedicated and passionate about the winemaking craft. Although he initially studied medicine, his passion for creating world-class wines from this family's vineyards persisted, and in 2003 he returned home from practicing abroad to assist his father, Bertie, with managing the family's orchards, vineyards, and winery.

While Bertie was focused mostly on bulk wine production, Alvi began exploring his passion for winemaking. After one year, once Bertie had picked all of his grapes, Alvi was allowed to pick and use any remaining grapes. He put in a lot of effort to create a bit of Chardonnay and Muscat de Frontignan and bought his own barrels and bottles, and actually won quite a few awards with his first wine and Alvi's Drift Winery was born.

Together with his wife, Junel - a Cape Wine Master and well-known lecturer, speaker, and wine expert - Alvi and Junel form a formidable partnership that, along with their winemaking team, has built a reputation for creating exceptional wines of singular character and complexity. The end goal is always the same: nothing less than excellence in every outcome.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in WO Western Cape, in an area that has a Mediterranean micro-climate, an abundance of soil diversity, and water from the life-giving Breede River. Alvi's Drift vineyards are ideally positioned for producing remarkable wines of unique character and complexity. The vineyards are sustainably fertilised with natural compost that is produced on their farm, as well as meticulously managed to ensure optimal quality and flavour. At harvest, the grapes are selectively hand-harvested in the cool, early morning hours, while ensuring that only the healthiest and perfectly ripe bunches are used for making quality wine. At the winery, the winemaking team strongly focuses on making wines that preserve the fruit-driven expression of the grapes. To craft this wine, only premium free-run juice was used. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on its lees for several months prior to fining, stabilising, and bottling.

From a cooler-than-normal vintage that delivered exceptional wines, let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Alvi's Drift Signature Chardonnay 2021 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY 2021 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#21151) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose offers apple, pear, and lemon citrus aromas nuanced with buttery notes and hints of melon and green herbs. It has very good weight and structure on the medium-full bodied palate with dry and lightly honeyed and spicy flavours of delicious apple, pear, buttery, and herbs, with a nice textural mouthfeel, plus some leesy mineral notes that appear on the mid-palate. Lively acids are fresh and juicy, while leesy mineral, herbal, apple, and pear notes all appear on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

One other wine by Alvi's Drift can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.


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  • Date publishedThursday, September 28, 2023

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

white wine review is a beautiful Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy that arrived at the LCBO as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Hamelin, a small, family-owned winery with a long winemaking history in the village of Lignorelles, in Burgundy, just minutes from the town of Chablis. The history of the domaine begins when Gustave Hamelin planted 2 hectares of vines in 1840, alongside his mixed farm. In 1880, Pierre Hamelin grew the domaine to 3 hectares of vines and used his mules to help work them. At this time, the wines were held in 132 litre barrels and gave rise to the name "feuillette" or little cask, and were transported by river using barges or rafts.

In 1911, Georges Hamelin extended the property to 4 hectares and worked the vines by horse, while transporting the wines in feuillettes by railway. In 1936, Pierre Hamelin took over the domaine from his father and further developed the vineyard and winery by using some of the industry's latest technological advancements and continuing well into the next decade. In 1970, Marc Hamelin created his own vineyard, while also adding an area he inherited from his father.

Today, Domaine Hamelin is run by the sixth and seventh generations of the family - Thierry and his son, Charles. They run the estate together while perpetuating the wine traditions of Chablis and knowledge that has been handed down from one generation to the next. They harvest their grapes from nearly 37 hectares of vines which extend over the villages of Poinchy, Beines, and Lignorelle. The focus at Domaine Hamelin is mainly on Chablis wines, using a mix of old traditions and modern-day techniques to craft wines that express their terroir. The wines are crafted by the Hamelin family in a well-controlled environment with thermo-regulated processes, including bottling at the estate at the optimal moment.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay, from vines that were planted between 1980 and 1982 on very strong, south-facing slopes (30 - 45% / 16.5 - 24 degrees), opposite the Lac de Beines, and extends from the bottom of the valley to the top of the slopes. The soils on this slope consist of Kimmeridgian sub-soils that give the wine its intensity and the typicity of the character of a fine Chablis Premier Cru. The 3.9 hectare vineyard is managed under the strict conditions of Chablis tradition, with the grapes virtually guaranteed to reach maturity every year. The grapes are mostly harvested mechanically, and after being selected, sorted, and fermented, the wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in stainless steel vats prior to bottling.

The 2021 growing season in Chablis was a difficult one with frost, mildew, oidium, and botrytis, resulting in reduced volumes. However, with great attention to the vineyard and technical expertise in the winery, this vintage did produce wines with a classic profile full of vibrant acidity and a particularly strong terroir influence that highlights minerality. Having enjoyed the excellent 2019 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru last year, let's see how this 2021 Chablis 1er Cru is tasting tonight...

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (94 pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $45.95
100% Chardonnay raised in stainless steel, this has a lovely, open, fragrant, and highly aromatic on the nose with earthy/stony minerals flecked with lemon citrus, apple, pear, and herbal aromas, plus touches of pleasant bitter notes adding further savoury characters. It is quite the mouthful on the medium-full bodied, well-structured palate with very impressive concentration. It's dry with stony mineral flavours layered over lemon citrus, apple, pear, and green herbal notes which are supported by crisp, juicy acidity. It has a nice texture on the gently spicy mid-palate, while oyster-shell notes join the stony mineral, apple, pear, and lemon replays on the exceptionally long, balanced finish. Enjoy to the end of the decade, maybe a bit longer. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Hamelin can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia and Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, January 26, 2023

Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Petit Chablis 2020 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Burgundy that newly landed at the LCBO as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES Release on .

It is produced by Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret, a small family-owned estate whose history inscribed in vine cultivation and winemaking dating back to 1713. It all began in the early 18th century with Jean Vocoret, whose winemaking soul no doubt guided him to pass down his wisdom, his fruits, his passion, and the nobility of winemaking to his descendants,

The Domaine's more recent history of winemaking in Chablis begins with Victor Hyppolite Vocoret, the great, great grandfather of Yvon Vocoret. Born in 1863, Victor had a few acres of vineyards and some leaflets in the cellar. Henri Vocoret, born in 1895, and alongside his wife Louise were the grandparents of Yvon and they managed to make the land prosper with the help of their horses, and were very proud to produce excellent wine.

The fourth generation of the family to own the estate were Yvon's parents, Maurice (1928-1997) and Huguette (1933), who carefully reflected upon the art of winemaking and invested in high performance equipment for the cellar. Maurice and Huguette knew how to anticipate and plan so that the quality of their wines would be recognized.

Today, the Domaine is led by Yvon, the 5th generation of the family, and his son, Yvon, the 6th generation, together with Huguette, as they uphold the family motto - quality, dignity, and respect - and continue to write the story of a humble, but determined family of winegrowers who craft wines that bring pleasure. Since 1974, the Vocoret family has been farming the vineyards organically to respect and protect their vines and soils, as well as the environment. They have also been using organic soil materials which forces the soil to do its own work in order to transform the organic materials to minerals, so that the vine can feed itself and grow fruit in a natural, sustainable way and guarantee a quality vintage, year after year. The wines of Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret represent the essence of their exceptional terroir.

This Petit Chablis is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was sourced from various plots covering 4 hectares of land throughout the appellation of Petit Chablis. The vines average 30 years of age and were planted on Portlandian Barrois clay-limestone and limestone marl soils which also feature red pebbles and a reddish-brown colour. Each plot of grapes were harvested at maturity and either manually or mechanically. It underwent a light static settling to retain the fine lees so that the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations can take place naturally. And finally, each plot was aged for approximately 9 months in stainless steel vats to preserve its fresh characteristics and allow plot to express itself prior to creating the final blend.

The 2020 growing season was warm and dry, yielding grapes with exceptional freshness and purity. The white wines of Burgundy classically styled, balanced, and consistently of a very high quality. As the 2020 vintage is such a fine vintage across the board, let's see how this 2020 Petit Chablis is tasting tonight...

Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Petit Chablis 2020 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET PETIT CHABLIS 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#26446) (XD) - $27.95
This lovely Chardonnay has an elegant, medium-high intensity nose offering a lovely mix of ripe lemon, citrus, mineral oil, nutty, lactic, green apple, and white peach aromas. It is impressively weighted and quite structured on the medium-full bodied palate with lactic, mineral, lemon citrus, and green apple flavours supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity. Lemon citrus, apple, and white peach taper to leesy mineral notes on the long, crisp finish. Enjoyable now, but will be even better in a year or two. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

There is a Chablis 1er Cru available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.


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  • Date publishedThursday, July 28, 2022

Domaine Hamelin Vau Ligneau Chablis 1er Cru 2019 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

wine review is an excellent Chablis Premier Cru from the Vau Ligneau Climat in Burgundy that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES Online Exclusives Release and is available purchase only through lcbo.com.

I enjoyed the excellent 2019 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru last month (it is still available in stores now!) and am delighted to taste another wine from the same producer. Domaine Hamelin was founded in 1840 by Gustave Hamelin when he planted two hectares of vines alongside his mixed farm. Over the next few generations, the family property was further expanded and developed. Today, Domaine Hamelin is run by the sixth and seventh generations of the family with Thierry and his son Charles continuing to perpetuate the Chablis wine tradition using the knowledge passed down over the generations. Together, they craft their wines using a mix of ancient traditions and modern techniques to create Chablis wines that perfectly represent their terroirs.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this white wine were grown in the Vallée de Vaux de Long in the village of Beines. The 3.5 hectare vineyard extends from the bottom of the valley to the end of very steep slopes, and facing south-southeast. The vines were planted between 1978 and 1980 on Kimmeridgian limestone subsoils (which are from the Late Jurrasic Epoch more than 150 million years old) and borders on the slightly younger Portlandian limestone at the top of the valley, providing elegance and body typical of Premier Cru Chablis wines such as this. The valley is quite closed, resulting in a micro-climate that is highly suitable for good grape maturation, and combined with the soils, allows the grapes to fully express itself and place.

As the 2019 vintage is described as probably one of the best vintages ever in Burgundy, one can expect this white wine from Burgundy to also be excellent. Let's see how this 2019 Chablis Premier Cru is tasting tonight...

Domaine Hamelin Vau Ligneau Chablis 1er Cru 2019 (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN VAU LIGNEAU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#21405) (XD) - $39.95
Beautiful, fresh, intensely aromatic nose offers ripe lemon citrus, leesy mineral, golden apple, and lactic notes. The medium+ bodied palate is refined and elegant with more lemon citrus, golden apple, and mineral replays joined by subtle spicy tones and a twist of honey. Acids are fresh and crisp. There's good tension between the fruit and acidity, and it's nicely balanced overall. Lovely mineral, lemon citrus, and apple notes are subtly smoky on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

One other excellent Chablis by Domaine Hamelin is available at the LCBO, while others from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedFriday, June 10, 2022

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2019 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this excellent Chablis Premier Cru that landed at the LCBO as an Online Exclusive in the June 2nd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Domaine Hamelin has a long history that begins in 1840 when Gustave Hamelin planted 2 hectares of vines alongside his mixed farm. In 1880, Pierre Hamelin grew 3 hectares of vines and used mules to help work them. At this time, the wines were held in 132 litres barrels and gave rise to the name "feuillette" or little cask, and transported by river using barges or rafts. By 1911, Georges Hamelin settled in Lignorelle and extended the property to 4 hectares and worked the vines by horse, while transporting the wines in feuillettes by railway. Pierre Hamelin took over from his father in 1936 and not only further developed the vineyard, but also used some of the industry's latest technological advancements. In 1970, Marc Hamelin created his own vineyard and then added the area he inherited from his father. Today, Thierry and his son Charles Hamelin are the sixth and seventh generations of the family to run the estate and perpetuating the Chablis wine tradition. With knowledge handed down from generation to generation, Thierry and Charles focus on mainly Chablis wines using a mix of old traditions and modern-day techniques to craft wines that express the flavours of their terroir.

I've had the pleasure of enjoying a number of previous vintages of this wine, including most recently the 2018 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru, and it always provides immense pleasure. Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the vines are located on very steep, south-facing slopes that extend from the bottom of the valley to the top of the slopes. The vines were planted between 1980 and 1982 on Kimmeridgian subsoils that gives the wine the intensity and typicity of a fine Chablis Premier Cru character.

From what is described as probably one of the best vintages ever in Burgundy, let's see how this 2019 Chablis Premier Cru is tasting tonight...

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2019 (93+ pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $41.95
100% Chardonnay. Elegantly fragrant and ripe on the nose with fresh citrus, apple and pear aromas with hints of lactic and shell minerality. It's ripe and fleshy on the medium-full bodied, textured palate with fresh, clean, and bright acidity. Lovely lemon citrus, apple, pear, and butter flavours taper to a minerally, citrusy, and crisp finish, with excellent length. Beautiful, highly recommended buy! Score: 93+ pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Hamelin can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, November 6, 2021

Frind Chardonnay 2018 and Big Red 2018 (British Columbia) - Wine Reviews

wine reviews are a couple of lovely wines from British Columbia that are new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES Release on .

Frind Chardonnay 2018 (91 pts) and Frind Big Red 2018 (89 pts)

Frind Estate Winery was founded in 2017 by Markus Frind when he purchased the lakeside property in West Kelowna, British Columbia, from the political Bennett family who had owned the property for more than 50 years. Markus was born in Germany, a descendant of a generation of farmers, and immigrated to Canada as a young boy with his parents to a farm in northeastern British Columbia. He studied Business and Computer Science at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and developed the Plenty of Fish dating site in 2003 to great success. After many successes, Markus sold the site in 2015 to follow his ambition into B.C. wine by combining his two passions: technology and agriculture.

Markus brought on famed Winemaker Eric von Krosigk to oversee the operation and, today, Frind Estate Winery is one of the most advanced wineries in the world, using cutting edge technology to create truly distinctive wines. Some of the technology they use includes an optical sorter, automated ferment tanks, and the Willmes Sigma Press.

On the label of each Frind Estate wine is an abstract golden pinecone that represents three aspects meaningful to Markus and his family - science, symbolism and sentiment. The property is sprinkled with beautiful, old growth Ponderosa Pine trees, and one day Markus and his daughter Ava found the perfect pinecone which was artistically used for the creation of the brand. Let's see how these two wines from British Columbia are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

FRIND CHARDONNAY 2018 - BC VQA, British Columbia, Canada (#19930) (XD) - $29.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this lovely unoaked Chardonnay has a fragrant, medium-high to highly-aromatic nose with complex aromas of lemon citrus, ripe apple, yeasty, and leesy, with subtle buttery nuances. On the weighty, impressively concentrated palate it has lovely replays of lemon citrus, ripe apple, and buttery flavours with a subtle toastiness, and supported fresh and lively acidity. The juicy mid-palate leads to more ripe apple, lemon citrus, and leesy notes on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Frind Chardonnay 2018 (91 pts)Frind Big Red 2018 (89 pts)

FRIND BIG RED 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#19931) (XD) - $24.95
A Merlot-dominated blend with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support, all aged for 12 months in mostly neutral French and American oak. Stelvin screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe and plummy with a mix of red and black fruits, red cherry, and touches of cedary wood and stemmy characters. On the medium-bodied palate it has delicious ripe cassis, black cherry, blackberry, plummy, and sweet wood spice flavours supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity and supple, structured and slightly chalky tannins. Some minty herbals and leafy notes add complexity on the mid-palate. Juicy and succulent with cedar wood spice and savoury cocoa notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from B.C.'s Frind Estate Winery are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, August 20, 2021

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Chardonnay 2019 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely, unoaked Chardonnay from Burgundy. It's a new arrival to the LCBO that's included in the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Closerie des Alisiers wines are produced by Stéphane Brocard, son of renowned Chablisian winegrower Jean-Marc Brocard. in 2007, Stéphane moved to Marsannay and founded his Trading House. In addition to owning his own vineyards, he also works with the same winegrowers and plots who share his philosophy to create authentic wines based on purity of fruit, freshness, and great respect for the terroir and environment.

In Burgundy, the concept of clos is very old, with the first clos appearing in the 7th century. The stone walls that formed a clos were initially of religious influence, but also made it possible to retain the soil gave personality to each Burgundy estate. A Closerie is a small clos, a small property surrounded by walls or hedges.

This Chardonnay was crafted using fruit from various regional appellations within Burgundy, from vines averaging 25 years of age that were farmed using Reasoned Agriculture. It was vinified in Burgundian tradition by sorting in the vineyard (or table), then pressing and settling, followed by fermentation in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness, fruit, and minerality of the terroirs. Typical for white Burgundy, this Chardonnay has no oak contact.

The 2019 vintage in Burgundy is described by many as "one of the best ever" due to the long, hot and dry summer, yielding ripe and concentrated fruit to produce rich and deeply aromatic wines. Let's see how this 2019 Bourgogne is tasting tonight...

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Chardonnay 2019 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2019 - AC Burgundy, France (#20911) (XD) - $18.95
This unoaked Chardonnay has a rich, deep nose that delivers generous aromas of lemon citrus, white flowers, and earthy mineral with hints of ripe stone fruit, apple, and white peach. On the medium+ bodied, it has lovely ripe yellow fruit, citrus, earthy mineral, apple and floral flavours framed by bright acidity. Hints of honey and yellow plum join the mineral, citrus, and apple notes on the spicy mid-palate. Excellent length on the long, minerally finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Stéphane Brocard are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedThursday, November 26, 2020

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2018 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

wine review is this lovely Premier Cru Chablis that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES this weekend. This white wine is featured in the  LCBO VINTAGES Release as a Top Holiday Wine and is indeed just that!

I have had the pleasure of tasting this wine on a couple of occasions in the past, including the 2014 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru when it came through VINTAGES in 2016. It is crafted by Domaine Hamelin, a producer whose roots begin in 1840 when Gustave Hamelin grew 2 hectares of vines alongside his mixed farm. In 1880, Pierre Hamelin grew 3 hectares of vines alongside his farm, using his mule to help work the vines. At the time, the wine was held in 132 Litre barrels, giving rise to their name "feuillette", or little cask. The wines were sold in these containers and transported by river. In 1911, Georges Hamelin extends the property to grow 4 hectares of vines and working them by horse. In 1948, they began using a mechanical horizontal press and 5 years later started using a high-clearance tractor. Marc Hamelin created his own vineyard and then added the area he inherited from his father, while also building a new vat room.

Today, Thierry and his son Charles Hamelin, the 6th and 7th generations of the family continue winegrowing activities, perpetuating the Chablis wine tradition. The main focus is to keep the "flavour" of the terroir while using a mix of old traditions and modern winemaking techniques.

This Premier Cru Chablis is 100% Chardonnay that was grown on very steep, south-facing slopes, that extend from the bottom of the valley to the top. The vines were planted between 1980 and 1982 and have Kimmeridgian subsoil. It was aged for 12 to 18 months in stainless steel vats prior to bottling. The 2018 vintage in Chablis has been hailed by some as "one for the ages". It has a rare combination of high volume and high quality. It started with greater water reserves in the soil from which the vines drew water during the hot summer months. The presence of fog and dew each morning also added juice to vines. During harvest, the fruit was also picked with grapes in perfect balance.

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2018 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $39.95
From vines planted in the early 1980's on very steep, south-facing slopes, this unoaked Chardonnay has intense, terroir-driven, minerally aromas mingling with ripe, lemon citrus and touches of oyster shell, white floral, and acacia. It's medium+ bodied on the fresh, ripe palate with stony, lemon citrus flavours with hints of peach. It's nicely textured with fresh, bright acids that are crisp and clean. Some nutty and mealy notes arrive on the mid-palate, adding complexity and interest, lingering through to the long, juicy, textured, stony, oyster shell finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 92 pts

Other fine wines from Domaine Hamelin can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, October 27, 2020

13th Street June's Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

wine review is a delicious, locally-made, unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES on .

It is produced by 13th Street Winery in St. Catharines, Ontario, within the Niagara Peninsula. 13th Street Winery was founded in 1988 and purchased by the current owners, John & June Mann and Doug & Karen Whitty, in 2008. Doug is the third generation to operate the family farm and both families have deep roots in the Niagara community. Together, along with French-trained winemaker Jean Pierre Colas, they strive to create exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Niagara.

This particular Chardonnay uses fruit from June's Vineyard. This estate vineyard is named after one of the owners, June Mann, and is located just south of the winery on 5th Avenue, on the west side of Seventh Street Louth. Situated at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, this gorgeous site was established in 1999 and has a distinctive terroir of hard pale clay loam with decomposed yellow limestone soils that produce unique and expressive wines. The Chardonnay planted on this site is Burgundy Clone 96 and was carefully manual-harvested and full bunch pressed. It was fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel tanks, and also underwent full malolactic fermentation. The wine also spent 6 months on its fine lees prior to bottling in spring 2020. Let's see how this unoaked Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

13th Street June's Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

13TH STREET JUNE'S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#236745) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. This unoaked Chardonnay has a medium+ intensity nose of ripe apple, stone fruit, citrus, and white peach aromas surrounded by leesy characters. It's medium+ bodied on the creamy, nicely textured palate that is ripe with golden apple, honeysuckle, citrus and leesy flavours with a touch of earthy minerality. Acids are well-balanced, while the finish is long and crisp with apple, earthy mineral, and some pleasing mealy notes adding complexity. Enjoy well-chilled. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 26, 2018

Closerie des Alisiers Petit Chablis 2016 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

lovely little white wine is a Petit Chablis that arrived as a new release into LCBO VINTAGES on .

It is produced by Stéphane Brocard, the son of a Chablis winemaker. He settled in Marsannay in 2007 and founded Closerie des Alisiers to craft wines of purity, fruit, and freshness, while respecting the land and environment, and highlighting the terroir for each wine.

In addition to work in his own vines, he has worked with some selected winegrowers throughout Burgundy over many years, carefully selecting small parcels of grapes. He has worked with many of these growers to establish organic farming practices. The grapes for this particular wine were hand-harvested at peak maturity and direct pressed, followed by fermenting and ageing exclusively in stainless steel tanks.

Closerie des Alisiers Petit Chablis 2016 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS PETIT CHABLIS 2016 - AC, Burgundy, France (#557769) (XD) - $25.95
Fermented and aged completely in tank, this unoaked Chardonnay has a fresh and fragrant nose with lemon and citrus with hints of white peach and leesy notes. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with more lemon, citrus, ripe apple, and white peach flavours with a fine mineral underpinning. Some grapefruit and floral notes arrive with air, adding complexity. Nicely balanced with clean, crisp, and bright acids providing freshness. Fine mineral and apple notes linger on the long aftertaste. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, November 16, 2016

EastDell Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 (Ontario) - Wine Review

wine is an unoaked Chardonnay and, similar to the 2014 EastDell Gamay Noir, is now on LCBO shelves with an updated, modern label that still retains the iconic heron.

The 2015 vintage began with unusually cold temperatures throughout Winter and Spring. Fortunately, weather conditions improved greatly during the Summer growing season, with favourable conditions continuuing through to harvest.

Produced by Diamond Estates, this easy-drinking Chardonnay is available at the Winery Boutique (at Diamond Estates) and at the LCBO.

EastDell Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (86 pts)

Tasting Note:

EASTDELL UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#609867) (XD) - $13.95
Screw cap. Aromas of fresh lemon/lime citrus with ripe golden apple undertones. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy with more ripe apple and citrus fruit flavours. Some grapefruit notes emerge with time in glass. Acids are clean and balanced. Good length on the finish. This is a clean, easy-drinking (unoaked) Chardonnay to drink in the near term with seafood, salads or poultry. Score: 86 pts


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