What are your favorite Chardonnays for struck matchstick that doesn’t break the bank? I’ve recently opened Walter Scott, A. & P. de Villaine, and a few Niagara Bench Chards that hit the spot–but they all came in at $40-50. Is there a daily drinker/cellar defender that has this personality?
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Sticking with Walter Scott, their 2020 Bois Moi is $30 or less
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Echo Walter Scott Bois-Moi, also Suzor Sunflower ALL DAY (BerserkerDay, watch for it - @Jorge_Henriquez and I love the stuff)
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Walter Scott La Combe Vert is a great value and a baby version of their upper end cuvees after the Bois Mois runs out.
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+1 on the Suzor Sunflower. I’m not really a Chardonnay guy and it still knocked my socks off.
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My favorites are from Goodfellow, Walter Scott and Morgen Long. Their “entry” level wines are delicious and good values.
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For Ontario - Tawse Quarry Road $36 CAD ($28 USD)
Around the world - definitely South Africa. 2018 Sutherland Chardonnay for $20 CAD ($15 USD) has this character in spades. Fun to put in a blind tasting and have people guessing Villages Chassagne or Meursault for >$100.
From what I’ve had from Walter Scott I’d agree, but their value is relative. To White Burgundy, yes. To the other examples mentioned, maybe not.
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Walter Scott La Combe Vert is about $33 at full retail.
Another good option is Haden Fig Chardonnay
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Yep, Walter Scott LCV immediately came to mind when I saw this title. It’s creeped up slightly in price but it’s still a great value. I’m aging a few until the 10 year mark just to see how they develop.
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I echo Suzor Sunflower, as well as Goodfellow.
Curious to try the Sutherland now!
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They’re not especially reductive, but don’t forget Vincent’s chardonnays. His basic tardive bottle At ~$22 is quite excellent.
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Fair point - that is a bottling I’m not as familiar with. The ones I’ve had have been higher priced. The last offer I got here (granted our tax structure inflates US wines a lot) was:
Cuvee Anne Chardonnay ~$65 CAD
Freedom Hill Chardonnay ~$110 CAD
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Good call
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Quality increases up through the cuvées, as one would expect, but the La Combe Vert is a dynamite entry level wine and often shows at close to full potential on release.
I don’t know what the tax structure would add for you though hopefully the wine would still bea pretty reasonable QPR.
just to confirm, do you mean Thelema Mountain Vineyards ‘Sutherland’ Chardonnay? That’s the sutherland i see in SA, but there’s a Sutherland Estate in Oz… thanks.
Oh good question on the Sutherland. I assumed the Thelema second bottling, but don’t know.
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Yes Thelma vineyards.
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Yeah, what Rob said. I was referring to Sutherland that is an outpost of Thelema in SA
Has anyone tried the 2020 Walter Scott “Bois-Moi” yet? Just got an offer for $25.