2008 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay

Awards

Best of Category -All Canadian Wine Championships 2011 (Ontario)
Gold Medal - Pacific Rim Wine Competition 2011 (San Bernardino, CA)
Silver Best in Class – International Wine and Spirits Competition 2011 (Surrey, UK)
Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (London, UK)
Silver Medal - Okanagan Fall Wine Festival Awards 2010 (British Columbia)
Silver Medal - Canadian Wine Awards 2010 (British Columbia)
Silver Medal – San Francisco International Wine Competition 2010 (San Francisco, CA)
Silver Medal - All Canadian Wine Championships 2010 (Ontario)
Bronze Medal – San Francisco Wine Competition 2011 (San Francisco, CA)
Bronze Medal – InterVin Wine Awards 2011 (Ontario)
Bronze Medal - Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits 2010 (Los Angeles, CA)

Accolades

92 points – John Schreiner (May 2010)
“A rich wine, toasty and buttery on the nose, with flavours of peach, tangerine, butterscotch and with a finish that goes on forever. The wine is drinking well now but also has the structure to age for several more years, in the manner of a fine white Burgundy.”

91-93 points – James Cluer (July 2010)
“Pale to medium lemon color. Intriguing nose of smoke, toast, and other barrel notes. Dry, creamy, nice structure (not too full and fat) with fresh acidity providing definition, French oak, lemon peel and peach, elegant, and a very long finish without any heat.”

91 points – David Lawrason (December 2010)
“The Chardonnay is perfectly poised with aromas of nectarine, chive, toast and smoke. It’s smooth and suave yet built on stony acidity.”

90 points – Anthony Gismondi (August 2010)
“Smoky, nutty, spicy, garlic, vanilla cream, baked apple, grapefruit, dried herb aromas. Round, delicate, soft palate with a touch of sweetness. Vanilla, grassy, creamy, nutty lees, garlic, grapefruit, passion fruit, mineral, waxy, melon flavours. Good complexity and texture but a bit flat on the finish. Attractive style for current consumption.”

89 points – Daenna Van Mulligen (April 2010)
“From Quails’ Gate’s premium lineup, this bold Chardonnay was fully barrel fermented for one year in first second and third use barrels. And it shows with rich caramel and spice, buttery apples and melon aromas. The palate is a rich and creamy mouthful of sweet but spicy oak flavours, pralines and clove with citrus peel flavours lingering on the finish.Pair with a rich, nutty risotto, smoked cheeses or creamy chicken and corn casserole.”

Highly Recommended – Northwest Palate (July 2010)
“Toasty caramel and orange notes weave a thread from start to finish. Bursts with peachy vibrancy on the rich palate, but finishes with a long citrus peel finish. The French oak spiciness frames the seductively soft texture. Built to complement dishes with a Dijon mustard cream sauce.”