Are you a member of the ABC (anything but Chardonnay) club? Why does the wine have a bad rep?
The rise and fall of Chardonnay began in the nineties when Chardonnay’s production explosion occurred in Australia, California and, to a lesser degree, South America, used oak to emulate the high-end wines of Europe. The idea was that if they put some oak in, it would taste like Burgundy.
Well, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc lovers let me change your mind about BC Chardonnay. My list of BEST VALUE BC Chardonnays is separated into Unoaked and Oaked.
Unoaked BC Chardonnay
Dirty Laundry Chardonnay 2023
The grapes for the chardonnay were sourced from four different vineyards in Summerland and fermented in stainless steel.
12.5% Alcohol. A lovely nose of tropical fruit and citrus. Flavours of pineapple, stone fruit, and melon with a refreshing oily finish. The dry chardonnay has a lean mouthfeel. 91 points
Haywire Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay 2020 ($34.99)
The Chardonnay grapes were whole cluster pressed, with no juice settling or additives. The wine went through natural fermentation in concrete and stainless steel then full malolactic conversion before further ageing for ten months on lees. The wine was then clarified by settling in a tank and bottled unfiltered and allowed further bottle ageing prior to release.
Alc: 12.5% | pH: 3.47 | TA: 5.3 | RS: 0.5
This is a style of Chardonnay where the fruit does the talking and not the oak! A lovely nose of pineapple and citrus. Flavours of pineapple, stone fruit, and melon with a refreshing hint of grapefruit on the finish. The dry chardonnay has a lean mouthfeel. 91 points
Peak Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay 2020 ($24)
The fruit was harvested from Blocks 8, 21 and 27 of the Carr’s Landing vineyard. Two of the three Chardonnay clones that are planted in these blocks are known to be more aromatic, complex and concentrated (clones 76 and 548); the third clone, 95, provides freshness and tension. The juices from all three blocks were combined in a stainless steel tank before fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was stirred weekly on its lees for four months to add textural richness.
Alcohol 13.4% / pH 3.39 / TA 6.1 g/L / RS 1.1 g/L
This is a clean, easy-drinking, dry Chardonnay. The wine opens with aromas of lemon, apple, pineapple and a whiff of tarragon. The wine is full of orchard fruit on the palate with lime zest to liven the lean mouthfeel. The long finish is accented with notes of green tea. This is a youthful wine to be enjoyed now. 92 Points
Castoro de Oro Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 ($20)
13.0 % Alcohol. A well-balanced dry chardonnay. Aromas of citrus, creamy caramel, and green apples. On the palate, apples, kiwi, mango, pear, ripe peach, butterscotch and crème caramel, with a creamy citrus finish. 90 Points.
For other excellent Castoro de Oro new releases, see the earlier post here.
Uppercase Chardonnay 2021 ($24.99)
This crisp, balanced Chardonnay was aged in stainless steel, including an ‘egginox’, to illuminate the purity and brightness of the Okanagan and Similkameen fruit.
The richness and opulent ripeness of the Border Vineyard, 300 metres from the US border on the Osoyoos West Bench, is complemented by stony, gravel-strewn vineyards in the Similkameen and North Bench Oliver.
60% Border Vineyard – Osoyoos / 32% Tuc-el-Nuit Vineyard – North Bench Oliver / 8% Liber Farms Vineyard – Similkameen Valley
Alcohol: 13.5% / pH 3.4 / TA 5.88 g/L / RS .37 g/L
A vibrant, fruity Chardonnay that opens with aromas of lemon zest and green apple. Flavours of Meyer lemon, ripe apple, and apricot. A smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a salty mineral finish. 90 points.
Oaked BC Chardonnay
Meyer Stevens Block Chardonnay 2021 ($27.04)
The estate-operated “Old Main Road Vineyard” is located on a terrace on the famed Naramata Bench sub-GI. One of four acres which was planted in 2006 with French clones 4 and 5; has the steepest slope and is the coolest part of the Old Main Road site.
At the winery, the fruit was fed directly into the press for gentle whole cluster pressing. Only the finest free-run juice was used for this wine. The wine started with a long, cool ferment with wild yeast in stainless steel. Then left on its fine lees for a further ten months in older French oak barrels. Natural full malolactic fermentation.
Alcohol: 13.5% / pH: 3.44 / TA: 7.5 g/L
Vibrant citrus aromas with bright floral notes. Medium-bodied and medium-plus acid and a wonderful buttery mouthfeel. Flavours of lemon curd, pineapple, white peach, honey and a strong mineral backbone. 91 Points
Township 7 Provenance Series Chardonnay 2020 ($25.97)
This well-integrated Chardonnay was predominantly sourced (75%) from Hidden Terrace vineyard in Oliver with small additions from other select sites including the Naramata Bench Estate. Half the wine was fermented in French oak barriques (225L neutral barrels) with the remaining 50% in stainless steel. A 7-day fermentation at 18°C, contributed to a roundness of texture. The wine in the barrel then underwent malolactic fermentation to further enhance the texture and complexity, while the stainless-steel portion maintained the natural acidity.
12.5% Alcohol | pH 3.38 | TA 6.6 g/L | RS 4.7 g/L | Vegan
The lightly oaked Chardonnay has aromas of citrus, pineapple, ripe apple, and baking spices. Flavours of Meyer lemon, golden apple and pineapple. Low to medium body with a light mouthfeel and a trace of minerality. Lower alcohol than previous vintages. 90 Points.
Monte Creek Ranch Reserve Chardonnay 2016 ($24.99)
The 2016 vintage started with our earliest bud break yet, with most varieties budding out in early April. A warm spring was followed by a rainy June and July bringing things closer to normal. Harvest still began two weeks early, on August 22nd, but was a long and extended one as the last fruit wasn’t harvested until October 28th. Milder temperatures during the heat of summer allowed more gradual ripening than in 2015. This allowed the grapes to accumulate intense flavour without sugars skyrocketing. The vineyards suffered from poor weather during flowering, which resulted in a reduced crop. A less crop usually means more concentration.
The Chardonnay was fermented in oak from the Jupilles forest in France.
Alcohol 13.6%, RS 1.8 gm/ L, pH 3.46, TA 6.8 gm/L.
True lemon in colour. Aromas of citrus, bread dough with a touch of vanilla. Pineapple, lemon, peach, caramel, toasted oak and a hint of honey are on the palate. Nicely balanced acidity with a rich smooth mouthfeel. This complex Chardonnay won a Gold Medal at the Prestigious 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards and the 2018 Pacific Rim Wine Competition. An outstanding value at only $24.99. 93 Points.
Tantalus Juveniles Chardonnay 2017 ($19.13)
All sourced from the single vineyard estate, the young gun Chardonnay block was handpicked and vinified in small lots using entirely wild fermentation. The wine was crafted in a combination of stainless steel and neutral barrels, to ensure the purity of the fruit was maintained with just a wisp of the oak present. At only 6 years old, this young vineyard is already showing incredible potential and it will be interesting to see how the site evolves and develops over the next 20 years.
12.3% Alcohol. A classic Chardonnay with aromas of green apple, lemon rind and a touch of fresh oyster shell. Flavours of ripe apple and Meyer lemon with just a hint of oak. Super mouthfeel with well-balanced acid. A light crisp chardonnay that will really hit its stride on a hot BC day. Amazing wine for only 6-year-old vines…that’s Kelowna wine country for you! 91 Points.
Pair with neutral “undressed” Gone Crackers. Here is the link to where you can buy these premium crackers. Also works well with shrimp or fish tacos.
Time Chardonnay 2014 ($22.99)
The grapes are from the Sundial Vineyard on the acclaimed Black Sage Bench. The Chardonnay was crafted by fermenting 1/3 in oak, ageing 1/3 in barrel for four months, with the remaining 1/3 fermented and aged in stainless steel. All oak barrels are medium toast with toasted heads and a combination of new and 1-year-old barrels.
13.9% Alcohol. This is a good age for an Okanagan Valley Chardonnay. It is still tasting extremely well. Aromas of baked apple, pineapple, lemon zest and tropical fruit. Flavours of pineapple, ripe apple, honeydew melon with a long buttery vanilla finish. 91 Points
Four Shadows Chardonnay 2019 ($22.99)
113 cases were produced. 40% aged in 2nd-year oak for 4 months, the remainder in stainless steel, blended just before bottling. Fermented dry. Partial malolactic fermentation. 14.1 % Alcohol.
A full-bodied, slightly oaked wine releases aromas of honey, butterscotch, pear, and caramel. On the palate, you will find flavours of white peach and nectarine, vanilla, ripe pear, mandarin orange and a wonderful buttery mouthfeel. This is another beautifully balanced wine from Four Shadows. 91 Points.
See Ya Later Ranch Chardonnay 2018 ($17.97)
13.3% Alcohol. Aromas of vanilla, tropical fruit salad and caramel. On the palate Meyer lemon, ripe pear and apple and buttery toasted oak. A well-rounded mouthfeel with plenty of acid to cut through the butter! Terrific long finish. 90 Points
Intrigue Wines Chardonnay 2018 ($16.90)
12% of the wine was fermented in new French oak barrels.
Alcohol 12.1%, RS 8 gm/ L, TA 6.63 gm/L.
This is a lightly oaked chard. Aromas of green apple, tropical fruit with a hint of caramel. On the palate, ripe apple, Anjo pear, pineapple, honeydew melon, kiwi and toffee with crisp well-balanced acid. A great white for a hot summer day. 90 Points
The 2017 Vintage won a Bronze medal at All Canadian Wine Championship 2018.
The strong fruit character and rich structure allow this wine to compliment Roast Chicken, Cedar Plank Salmon or Crab Cakes.
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Chardonnay 2018 ($31.04)
Pressed in whole bunches and fermented in barrels for 3 weeks. Aged in French oak barrels for 8 months.
12.5% Alcohol | TA: 5.5 G/ L| RS: 2.5 G/ L
The chardonnay has a complex nose of green apples, almonds and ripe bananas. Flavours of pineapple, white peach and apricot with a mineral backbone. The mouthfeel is smooth with balanced acidity and a long, rolling finish. 91 Points
Paired with pasta and Alfredo sauce.
Unsworth Chardonnay 2019 ($30.35)
2019 marks the inaugural release of Unsworth Chardonnay which is certain to become a mainstay of their Portfolio. The grapes are from the Mildenstein Vineyard. The cool climate expression of this noblest grape is dry and poised on the palate with an elegant integration of fruit.
The Chardonnay was fermented and aged for 8 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Alcohol 11.9% | pH 3.1 |TA 6.45 gm/L | RS 0.41 gm/L | SO2: 11 ppm
This is a young, bone-dry chardonnay. Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple and marzipan. Flavours of lemon zest, Mandarin orange and green apple with chalky minerality. The wine will develop more complexity with 3-5 years of cellaring. 90 Points`
The Chardonnay was paired perfectly with Indonesian pork tenderloin and vegetable stir fry.
Dirty Laundry Reserve Chardonnay 2019 ($21.49)
100% Chardonnay from Summerland. Partial malolactic fermentation softens any sharp edges while still retaining a firm backbone of acidity. 60% spends 8 months in new French Oak, 40% in stainless steel which helps to retain fruitiness.
Alcohol 12.8%, pH 3.2, TA 7.35 gm/L, RS 1.21 gm/ L
A bone-dry chardonnay that is lightly oaked. Aromas of ripe apples and citrus. Flavours of green and red apples, Meyer Lemon, and caramel with lively acidity and a soft mineral backbone. Easy drinking alone or to complement seafood or pasta dishes. 90 Points.
If you have tasted any of these wines, we would love to hear your comments!