Slightly golden in color with lovely varietal nose with lots of pear and apple coming through. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with apple and pear dominating the mid palate. This is a lovely bold, expressive, varietal chard. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth vanilla and some slight creamyness. This is a smooth well made, not over baked chard. Yum. I would give it an 89 or so. I paired it with a sea bass and it was perfect! Did I mention yum? In case you want to read up on Sur de lie follow the link.
From the LCBO’s web site for a different year:
Peller Estates Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2013 — VINTAGES#: 383075
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
2012 was a massive year with much weight given to many Chardonnays – but here we have the more (for lack of a better term) delicate 2013 Sur Lie Chard – here the wine sees 30% new oak and 12 months on its ‘lies’ (pronounced ‘lees’ – aka: dead yeast cells) … the result is aromas of vanilla, butter, candied apple, grilled peach and green apple skins … palate is fresh, lively and fruit driven with the subtlety of apple, butterscotch and a nice spice on the finish. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). (Michael Pinkus, ontariowinereview.com, April 19, 2016) $31.95
From the winery’s web site for a different year:
SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY SUR LIE 2014 $31.95 / BOTTLE
Our Signature Series Chardonnay ‘Sur Lie’ is harvested from selected premium vineyard sites within the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes are gently pressed to release the purest of juice, then barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 12 months in 100% French oak barrels (30% new oak).
This full-bodied Chardonnay has a slightly rich mouthfeel and just enough acidity to refresh. Flavours of tropical fruit and delicate notes of spice and toasty develop on the palate. The smooth finish lingers with spicy oak and grilled lemon. Enjoy this wine now through 2017.
Serve lightly chilled at 14 to 15°C. If served too cold the beautiful bouquet and flavours will be muted. A perfect rich, luscious sipping wine or pair with mushroom risotto; creamy mushroom soup; baked butternut squash; grilled pork chops with Dijon and tarragon; delicate cream sauces on pasta tossed with smoked salmon or scallops; grilled firm fillets of fish on cedar plank; roasted game hen with pine nut stuffing; turkey pot pies.
