Unfiltered Chardonnay 2012 Wine Review

Unfiltered Chardonnay 2012

Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 14

Add My Review

Price: $39.00

Drink: 2013-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: White Wine

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Liquid gorgeous! This stunner comes from a master winemaker who wines seem to get better every year, even though that doesn't seem possible. Full-bodied, layered, complex, like Meursault but at a fraction of the price. Get it while you can. Rich, yet balanced Chardonnay from one of the best producers in Prince Edward County. Layered and voluptuous with aromas of green apple and baked bread. Ideal for roasted chicken or a variety of other dishes.

Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine

This Unfiltered Chardonnay 2012 was reviewed on August 16, 2014 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2013 2011 2010 2008 2015

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
184432
$39.00
Check Stock

BCLDB
776880
$32.99
Check Stock

SAQ
11638501
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Craig Kuziemsky rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A wonderful chardonnay with tropical fruit and citrus aromas with green apple, lime, apricot and mineral flavors.

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

One of the finest Ontario Chardonnay's I've tasted. Mineral galore, this medium-full bodied Chard delivers a beautiful balance of minerality, tropical fruit, baked bread, spice, with a long fruit-minteral driven finish. Terrific on it's own or pair with a wide range of foods from seafood chowder to bbq'd pork or chicken.

In June 2014 this wine won the Great Canadian Wine Match - BBQ Edition, as the best Canadian wine to pair with grilled chicken. http://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine-canada-bbq-pairing/best-wine-chicken-pairing-winners/#top-6

Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Vintage after vintage Norman Hardie continues to craft amazing wines. Thks Chardonnay is no exception. Rich and creamy with a touch of earthiness. Familiar butter and toast,citrus, stony County minerality,apple, pear, tropical, banana peel. Layer upon layer unpeeled with each mouthful.
Acidity is balanced and refreshing. Medium+ body. Long length on a creamy finish.
Pair with lobster, crab, grilled scallops.
Potential to age 3-4 years with lots of fruit and good acidity.
Tasted: July 2014

Aimee Fowler - WSET L2 rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This is a fantastic resemblance of terroir and the effect it plays on the wine. An excellent balance of fruit, oak and acid this wine sings in the mouth. A kiss of oak allows the fruit to shine through, apple, pear and white peach, with hints of the oak flavours of vanilla and star anise. As the wine is unfiltered is sits heavier in the palate, but the acidity is still high making it a perfect complimentary food wine.

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

June 22, 2014: Pale yellow with expressive nose of County minerality/gunflint with ripe apple, pear and subtle oak spice notes. Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel with great acidity carrying the apple, pear, apricot and mineral notes to a long finish. Great wine for fish and chicken with just a hint of seasoning to really let the wine shine. Consistently one of my favorite County producers.

Terry Jeans - Certified S rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Norman Hardy is really setting the bar high with this Chardonnay from Prince Edward County. The aromas are dominated by tropical fruit and citrus notes, with just the right amount of minerality and acidity. Perfect pairing with lighter summertime bbq fare, chicken or white fish. Very nice.

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is a quality Ontario Chardonnay. The aromas are apple, citrus, tropical fruit and just a hint of butter and toast. The first sip was a range of sensations - mouthwatering, creamy, and slightly effervescent. The taste was pineapple, minerality, lemon, and a touch of lemon zest. it has weight but is in no way overpowering. Great pairing with roast chicken or pork.

Chris Coughlin - WSET level 3 grad rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Low to medium nose, however the palate will keep you coming back for more with its flavours of citrus, pear, floral and minerality notes. This is a must try at least once.

Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Peach / Butterscotch / Vanilla / Green Grapes / medium bodied with balanced acidity.

Your Italian-mother-in-law's simple roast chicken.

Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Opens up into a nice aromas of pineapple and lemon. This is a very clean, smooth Chardonnay for those of us that generally avoid them. There's a light lemon finish that makes this a great wine with pan fried fish, or even a barbecued chicken with an herb rub.

Martha Kelly AIWS - CS rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This Chardonnay has complex layers of apple peach, mango, vanilla, toast, yogurt, cheese, and ginger flavours. The intense flavours linger on the palate and are balanced with refreshing acidity and a smooth mouth-feel.
Drink now, or cellar for 3 - 5 years to allow the flavours to integrate.
Enjoy on its own or pair with chicken or lobster.
Date tasted: June 2014.

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

A lovely unoaked Chardonnay that shows off the fruit flavours beautifully.
Mild tropical pinneapple on the nose followed by grapefruit, butter, pineapple and touch of minerality on palate. Long fruit/mineral finish.

The label may be confusing: this winery is located in Prince Edward County, but the Chardonnay grapes come from Niagara, specifically the Beamsville Bench (and the wine is made in the County). The winery employs small barrels that hold only 500 litres, which give extra richness to the wine. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Unfiltered 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 Unfiltered 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

Charles Baker White Wine
Riesling 2021,
Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

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 333,836 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 333,836 strong:

Unfiltered Chardonnay 2012 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information