CWA 2010: Chardonnay - Oaked

(63 entries, 43 medals)

One of the best medal ratios, including a historically high four golds and 11 silvers, shows the extraordinary development of chardonnay in Canada. “Very exciting,” said John Szabo. “Chardonnay is clearly a consistent, well-suited grape in Canada. There is a move to hands-off, natural winemaking with better vineyard expression, and older vines are kicking in.” Almost every judge agreed with Steve Thurlow’s assessment that the major reason for chardonnay’s improvement is that “the oak is being dialled back and brought into balance.” Ontario’s 2008s dominate the high medals, but B.C. is also strong. Is it possible Canada might become the chardonnay darling of New World?

Gold

Tawse 2008 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $42

Tawse 2008 Quarry Road Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $35

Road 13 2008 Jackpot Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $41

Henry of Pelham 2007 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $35

Silver

Huff Estates 2008 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario     $30

Rosehall Run 2008 Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario     $30

Therapy Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $22

Rosehall Run 2008 Cuvée County Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario     $22

Flat Rock Cellars 2007 Chardonnay Reserve, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $35

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2007 Delaine Vineyard Chardonnay, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $22

Hillebrand 2008 Oliveira Vineyard Showcase Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $35

Quails’ Gate 2008 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Sandhill 2008 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

CedarCreek 2008 Chardonnay, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2008 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

See YA Later Ranch 2008 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Bronze

Lake Breeze 2008 Seven Poplars Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Poplar Grove 2008 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $22

Hidden Bench 2007 Tête de Cuvée Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $45

Tawse 2007 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $42

Coyote’s Run 2009 Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $22

Inniskillin 2008 Winemaker’s Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    $19

Painted Rock 2008 Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

CedarCreek 2008 Platinum Chardonnay, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Nk’Mip Cellars 2008 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Family Series Chardonnay, British Columbia     $13

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2007 SunRock Vineyard Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $26

Oliver Twist 2009 Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Thornhaven Estates 2008 Thornhaven Vineyard Chardonnay, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $16

Henry of Pelham 2007 Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $15

Angels Gate 2007 Old Vines Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $24

Cassini Cellars 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $29

Black Hills Estate 2008 Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Church & State 2008 Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $25

Laughing Stock 2009 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $26

Burrowing Owl 2008 Chardonnay, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2009 Chardonnay, British Columbia     $18

Rosewood 2008 Renaceau Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Mission Hill 2008 Five Vineyards Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $14

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Private Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Blasted Church 2007 Revered Series Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards