Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012 Wine Review

Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012

Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, East Coast, New Zealand

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 12

Add My Review

Price: $18.95

Drink: 2013-2016

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: White Wine

Winery: Kim Crawford

Agent: Arterra Wines Canada Inc.

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Fresh and crisp with no oak. Citrus character from Hawke's Bay combines with tropical fruit from Marlborough. Malolactic fermentation with 7 months on the lees to impart richness and creaminess: gives the impression of oak without the heaviness. Butterscotch notes but still ultra-fresh fruit.

Chardonnay food pairings: seafood stir-fry, roast pork.

Scrumptious Seafood Wine

This Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012 was reviewed on January 18, 2014 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2016 2015 2013 2009 2011

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
991950
$18.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
195172
$13.65
Check Stock

SAQ
10669470
Check Stock

ANBL
813509
$17.99
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

I am anything but ABC. I love chardonnay. Oaked or unoaked. New world. Old world. So the biased is set. That said, this unoaked Chardonnay was a highlight at our group tasting. The brilliant yellow in the glass lead to ripe tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla, butter and sweet spice aromas. The palate gave me butterscotch sundae, citrus, banana bread. Mouthfeel was creamy and smooth with balanced acidity. A pleasure to drink. Very nice with the soft Quebec cheese. I'm thinking lobster!

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Well done Anthony! - great nose - clean, butterscotch and sweet fruit - bursts with flavor on the palate - very nice mouthfeel - crispy, acidic, that Marlborough fruit shines through - lots of lingering lemon.

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This Unoaked Chardonnay was a bit hit at the table. A creamy, butterscotch nose opens to a wonderful Kraft caramel palate , with hints of citrus. KC used grapes from different regions for this wine, to show the different flavour characteristics of both Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. 7 months sur lees enhanced the creamy butterscotch flavours, and without oak, the beautiful fruit expression is celebrated.
This "candy in a glass" could be a big hit for the parents at Hallowe'en!

Mark Cochrane Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This unoaked chardonnay is one of the first wines produced by Kim Crawford vineyards. The grapes are sourced from the Marlborough and Hawkes Bay regions with their different climates blended together to make a unique wine. 80% of the chardonnay gets malolactic fermentation to give it a slightly creamy or soft texture. Lots of fruit flavours to enjoy like peach, lime and pineapple totally unobstructed by oak.
A nice medium to long smooth finish of tropical fruit.

Malcolm Lamont - WSET Adv, CSW rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

One of the first wines Kim launched. He saw a market opportunity for a fresh and lively chard. The unoaked chardonnay was born, and he was one of the first to label it so.

Buttery almost to butterscotch aromas on the nose, and really expresses crisp citrus on the palate.

A lovely median between the cool climate crisp Chardonnay and a warm climate filling chardonnay.

Tasted October 2, 2013

Dan Carkner rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Although this Chardonnay is unoaked, 80% malolactic conversion and 7 months sur lie leads to a creamy mouthfeel with notes of butterscotch and a wine that is somewhere between Chablis and California.
Green apple and apricot aromas are backed by chalky minerality, biscuit, and lactic notes of fresh cheese (ricotta, bocconcini). The palate is a balance between pithy citrus, fresh herbs, and orchard fruit, with lactic aspects providing richness.
Good value in a wine that Kim Crawford has had plenty of practice with.

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

80 Percent malo, 7 months on the lees creates a beautiful richness in this wine. However, no oak means the purity of the fruit shines through. Spun sugar, green apple, and lemon curd come through in this Kiwi gem. Nice zip on the finish. 90 Points. (ottawawinejournal.com)

Fresh and vibrant with orchard blossom, lemon zest, white peach and a kiss of butter cream. Richly textured yet nervy on the palate, with a deep and pure fruit core of citrus, apple and peach all soaring to a clean, refreshing finish. Source: Vintages Wine Panel, Feb. 2013

2 Members would buy this wine again

Bernie
Gina

If you liked the Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Marco & Vittorio Adriano Red Wine
Barbaresco 2019,
Piedmont D.O.C.G. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 335,048 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 335,048 strong:

Kim Crawford East Coast Unoaked Chardonnay 2012 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings