The 2012 Keint-He Voyageur Chardonnay, made with fruit sourced from the Niagara Peninsula that was then aged in new and used French oak barrels for 12 months, has captivating aromas of roasted coffee bean, gooseberry, toast and faint notes of solvents. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with good/checked acidity and a medium to long, smooth finish. It is food friendly and sipping wine, drink now - 2020+ (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts – recommended for both, quality and value. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city-2014/ in Apr/14.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections

or here @

http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

My go-to Chardonnay. Tasted for the first time on my first winery trip in September 2014. Was so impressed with this Chardonnay, especially at the price, I went back and bought a case. Tasted September 2014.

Really digging this one, especially at the price. While it's quite ripe and oak-influenced, with loads of tropical fruit, pear, red apple, vanilla, and a hint of honey. What keeps this all in check and very Niagara is the acidity and the minerality. There isn't a ton of complexity, but it's balanced with a long finish. You can't ask for much more at this price. Top-notch value. Tasted January 2015

The perfect blend of all round accessible deliciousness with enough structure and complexity to please the more attentive palate. I found the nose a bit volatile, but nonetheless, some caramel notes came through. The moment it hits your mouth though, the flavour explodes with ripe fruit, toasted breadiness and great minerality. The acids kick in on the finish carrying the fruit nicely. Great value chard.

A versatile chard that shows good balance between oak, fruit and minerality

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, butterscotch and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as the underlying flavours such as butterscotch don’t come up when it’s too cold, and use the larger New World or Montrachet Chard glasses. In addition, I like the aged parchment label.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp in grapefruit BBQ sauce.

Tasted: 27 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Nose appeared somewhat muted. Palate is medium-bodied and full of mineral, tropical fruit and guava flavours. Acids are nicely balanced. Long finish that is sour-edged and tart with green apple notes. Tasted Apr/2014.