94
tasted on the winery patio. first taste was wow! second taste was Wow! it just kept getting better and better. pears, nutty, stoney, great length and acidity, not too oaky. perfectly balanced. third taste was WOW! this is superb! can't believe it, this is like 1er cru burgundy at a fraction of the price. Can't recommend highly enough. This may be the best Canadian chardonnay ever.
93
With all due respect to the many talents of vingerons Bachelder, Jacquey, Paskus, Morissette, Senchuk et al, I officially proclaim Norman Hardie as Chardonnay (and arguably Pinot Noir) Master of the Ontario Universe (and beyond). This County 2012 is indeed world class, distinctively County but with a nod to Merseault. It shows great depth and complexity with minerality, apple, butter all wrapped in a smokey veil. The palate is creamy, viscous and long with wonderful acidity that frames the whole. Oak is minimal and expertly integrated. Very fine Chardonnay. Dec. 2014
92
Year after year, this is a favourite of mine. The nose reminds me of past vintages, with smoke, caramel, vanilla, apple and citrus, along with a very distinct minerality. On the palate, it was medium bodied and felt like it had medium alcohol, though it's only 12%. The flavours were similar, though I found more mandarin and papaya notes to shine through on an incredibly long finish. This was such an enjoyable bottle! Tasted December 2013.
92
The 2012 Norman Hardie Unfiltered County Chardonnay that was aged on lees in oak barrels for 10 months has full, seductive notes of coffee bean and toast on the nose and green and yellow apple, oak and more roasted coffee bean on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity to integrated wine; with good, refreshing acidity and long finish. Though food friendly, sip this wine by itself; drink now 2020+ (screw cap enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91-92 pts – recommended for its quality. 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
91
Tasted November 2014
