A Canadian Oaked Chardonnay

A Canadian Oaked Chardonnay: Wine Reviewed
Tawes Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay VQA Niagara Peninsula 2009 13 % alcohol about $20

Let’s start with the marketing materials “Tasting Note : Tawse continues to bring its A-game with the Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay. Mineral, peach, red apple and a hint of sulfur come through on the nose. It brings great length on the medium-bodied palate, with red apple, peach and mango flavors, while staying fairly focused and avoiding flabbiness. This wine won a gold medal at the Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards. Score - 90. (Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson, at the Wine Access Canada website, Nov. 7, 2011) “ And now for my review.

At the first sips the wine offered light oak and was somewhat sweet. Japanese rice crackers brought acidity to the fore. My initial meal centered on a paprika dusted barbecued chicken leg. The Chardonnay’s oak stood out but there was some mango. When it met brown rice garnished with wild rice, the drink’s oak was still present, along with acidity and caramel. The side salad of cucumber, tomato, broccoli sprouts, red onion, red peppers, cilantro, and pecans rendered our Canadian friend too oaky. I did notice some acidity. Upon pairing with fresh pineapple it tasted of oak, and caramel.

This review of A Canadian Oaked Chardonnay: continues on my web site.