• Order the following exceptional-value California chardonnay and/or the two wines from Chalone Vineyard by the case online from Stem Wine Group or by phone if in the GTA at 416-548-8824 and have delivered to your home, office or restaurant.
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Lost Angel Chardonnay 2017
California $17.99 13.5% alcohol
This is a terrific unoaked chardonnay at price-quality balance tipped heavily in your favour. Fresh citrus, pear, fennel seed and mineral notes introduce a crisp stream of flavours aligned with the aromatic profile. This is medium bodied with white grapefruit acidity and slate minerality persisting in the long clean delicious finish. Try on a toasted bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion and capers for a real simple treat. (Louise Boutin)
• Chalone Vineyard benefits from soil unique to Monterey County thereby earning its own AVA designation in 1982. The two wines reviewed below are sourced from fruit grown using sustainable farming practices and are a true expression of the Chalone terroir. Chalone Vineyard is the sole winery in the Chalone AVA. Order the following two wines by the case of 6.
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Chalone Vineyard ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2015
Chalone, Monterey County $51.99 14.4% alcohol
The estate’s oldest vines provide fruit to produce this golden-hued, 100% chardonnay beauty that ranked third in the white wine category at the Judgement de Paris in 1976. A fresh nose of apricot, lemon curd, toasted bread and vanilla aromas introduce an elegant stream of juicy peach, freshly cut lemon, vanilla flavours and delicious slate minerality persisting in the long, crisp and zesty finish. This is medium bodied with perfect alcohol integration and great finesse. Pair with scallops with orange butter now to 2021. (Louise Boutin)
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Chalone Vineyard ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2015
Chalone, Monterey County $54.95 13.8% alcohol
This elegant new-world styled pinot is produced in very small quantities, only 243 cases. It’s bright and fresh on the nose with aromas of raspberry compote, black cherry, vanilla and rose petal. Deliciously tart on the palate with flavours of pomegranate, cranberry and red cherry, it flows harmoniously, meeting fine-grained tannin and developing a refreshing dry sage note on the lengthy lip-smacking tang-infused finish. It matured 12 months in French oak, 50% new, this medium-bodied, well-crafted red is a joy alongside veal tenderloin roast. Pour now to 2023. (Louise Boutin)
• Order the following two wines online from the The Case for Wine for delivery to your home, office or restaurant.
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William Wright ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir 2016
Monterey County $20.95 13.5% alcohol
This hand-harvested reserve pinot is from the best parcels of the vineyard. It’s aged 20 months in primarily French oak and bottle-matured for an additional 14 months. Look for ripe cherry, blackberry, forest floor and vanilla aromas on the nose. Silky soft on the palate, it presents with flavours of tart red cherry, black plum, baking spice, wild mushroom and a lingering vanilla note in the mouth-watering tang-packed finish. Pair this value-priced, medium-bodied red with tourtière and pickled beets. (Louise Boutin)
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William Wright Chardonnay 2016
Monterey County $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Don’t look for butter in this fresh and bright chardonnay displaying aromas of lemon yogurt, peach and a hay note. This is a crisp, medium-bodied, refreshing white offering orchard fruit flavours along with excellent palate-tang, wet rock minerality and a delicious layer of almond bite adding to the balance and complexity of this well-made wine. Enjoy on its own or paired with vegetable tempura. (Louise Boutin)
• Order the following two wines by the case online from Hobbs & Co. Wine Merchant and have delivered to your home, office or restaurant.
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Mettler Albariño 2017
Lodi $39.95 13.5% alcohol
Plantings of Albariño, a Spain and Portugal grown varietal, are booming in the California Central Valley to a point that some nicknamed it Calbariño. This one is certified organic and sustainable and shows a lovely nose— freshly squeezed lemon, ripe pineapple, mineral notes and a wisp of grass. It’s deliciously fresh and crisp on the palate with a repeat of the aromas in juicy and mouth-watering flavours. Expect a tropical fruit and saline finish for this medium-bodied gem enjoyable on its own or perfect when served with fried calamari. (Louise Boutin)
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Mettler Petite Sirah 2016
Lodi $39.95 (543289) 14.5% alcohol
This attractive deep-ruby-robed organic beauty teases the senses with aromas of freshly crushed raspberry, ripe plum, black tea and a note of star anise. Grippy at first, the juicy flow of ripe berry turns mellow, tagging along flavours of plum compote, ginger snap cookie and slate minerality that builds on the palate to a complex, lengthy, dry generous finish. This is full bodied with excellent acidity and a real treat when paired with a dish such as Pork tenderloin with spiced cranberries. (Louise Boutin)
• Order the following wine online from Wine online and have delivered to your home, office or restaurant with free shipping when ordered by the case.
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Ryder Chardonnay 2017
Central Coast $19.95 13.5% alcohol
This cool-climate styled, estate-grown chardonnay delivers on many aspects and will be a hit at your next party. A beautiful fresh bouquet of orchard fruit, lemon rind and a wisp of vanilla fill the air. The fruit freshness on the palate is extremely well preserved with only 30% of the blend touching French oak; the oak regimen adding texture and roundness to this medium-bodied, well-priced white. Flavours of ripe peach and Asian pear mingle with lemon tang nicely softened by vanilla and nutmeg notes. This is clean, refreshing and a perfect mate to roasted nuts at the apéro or alongside quiche Lorraine. (Louise Boutin)