Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018 Wine Review

Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018

Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario VQA, Canada

Community Score:91/100

Community Reviews: 9

Add My Review

Price: $29.95

Drink: 2019-2024

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: White Wine

Winery: Henry of Pelham

Agent: Henry of Pelham Family Est. Winery

Natalie's Score: 93/100

A gorgeously textured, rich, full-bodied Niagara Chardonnay with aromas of toasted almond, freshly baked bread, Asian pear and golden apple. Pair with roast chicken or turkey.

Chardonnay food pairings: roast chicken, lobster in butter, sweet pea soup, smoked fish.

Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine

This Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018 was reviewed on November 14, 2020 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2022 2020 2019 2017 2016

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
616466
$29.95
213 bottles

Store

Stock

Portage Rd & Colborne E

Add

Carling & Woodroffe (Fairlawn Plaza)

Add

Front & Spadina

Add

Bay & Bloor (Manulife Centre)

Add

Innes & Tenth Line

Add

See More Locations Edit Locations

Reviews and Ratings

Malcolm Lamont - WSET Adv, CSW rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

What a wine!

This wine from Niagara plays the line between ripe fullness in body and flavour, and elegance and fresh acidity (which incidentally gives rise to more flavour complexity) perfectly.

This is such a great style, and would suit any Cool Climate Chardonnay lover.

ABC - Another bottle of Chardonnay, please!

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Beautiful! Great balance of acidity, body, and flavour. Aromas of pear, golden apple, honey, caramel and a hint of vanilla. Full bodied, smooth and creamy on the palate as well as medium+ acidity. Luscious ripe fruit on the palate with a creamy honeyed finish. Tons of flavour, brightness, and freshness, while still maintaining a creamy luxurious mouthfeel. Enjoy with creamy seafood dishes, lobster or roasted chicken.

Craig Haynes - WSET3 FWS SWS IWS rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Fermented in French oak barrels and 3000L foudres, this is a medium to full bodied Chardonnay from Ontario’s Short Hills Bench, the most easterly of the sub-appellations in the Niagara Escarpment appellation. Hallmarks of apples, pears, butterscotch and nuttiness ruled the nose. The palate showed attractive acidity and white orchard fruit layers seemingly brushed with rich caramel and smoke infused butter. Concluded with a long fruit filled finish. The 2018 vintage was crafted with grapes grown in lacustrine silty clay soils. Enjoy.

Reviewed on July 6, 2020

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

An excellent example of what wines from older vines can produce. This wine from the wineries oldest planted vineyard (1988) is exactly the way I prefer my Chardonnay.

It's not an "in your face" oaky chard, rather the aromas are clearly evident but still manage to be subtle. There's a whole medley that comes out of the glass; white stone fruit, popcorn, butter, smoke and caramel but blended artfully and in layers.

Full bodied with complex flavours of ripe peach on the onset, then some nuttiness and butterscotch mid palate, with a fruit and citrus finish.

The pairings are endless; creamy dishes, rich seafood, roast chicken or pork, grilled shrimp, aged cheddar... the list goes on! @HenryofPelham

Tasted August 9, 2020

Wineboy rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Somewhat reminiscent of Burgundy with a more generous hand of oak. This is my first exposure to Pelhams new winemaker. The weight of fruit is beautiful along with a certain amount of caramel. Some smoky oak flavours appear late to make sure the wine consumer knows it's new world.

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Apple, pear, double cream brie, and a touch of vanilla. Nicely balanced. Serve with a cream soup (cauliflower, butternut squash).

From the Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment wine region, Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2018 Chardonnay Reserve is a full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, richly textured and luxuriously creamy with toasted almond, baked goods, fresh pear, golden apple, vanilla and zesty citrus flavours toasty and spicy on the palate. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. - Community Wine Reviews

1 Member would buy this wine again

Ed C

If you liked the Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Pongráz Sparkling Wine
Cap Classique Rosé,
Western Cape W.O. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 327,156 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 327,156 strong:

Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2018 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings