Chalone Vineyard Monterey County Chardonnay 2009, Monterey County, California, USA

It has been a while since I have enjoyed a Chardonnay this much. For my palate, this Chardonnay was able to strike the right balance of oak, to give it a nice creamy buttery texture, good fruit and acidity. This flavourful Chardonnay opens up with citrus fruit, pear, butter and roasted nuts. The mouthfeel is rich, creamy/buttery with citrus and apple flavours and crisp acidity with a finish that is long, buttery texture with smoke and pears lingering. Well made, elegant and well priced. Highly recommended.


This wine was purchased August 20. 2011 LCBO New Release at $ 16.95.

Morgan Syrah 2007, Monterey County, California, USA

This very interesting Syrah originates from a cooler region of California, almost middle ground between a meaty Rhône Syrah and a more fruit forward Australian Shiraz. This deep color wine has aromas  that reveal ripe cherry and blackberry, earthy, black pepper, clove and vanilla. The mouthfeel has rich concentrated flavours, balance acidity and dusty tannins. This wine finish is a bit hot (14.4 % alcohol), velvety with mouth coating sweetness and loads of flavours. Very nice

This wine was purchased August 20, 2011 LCBO New Release at $24.95