Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2015

Luc Delorme rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

It's nice to see an all-Canadian wine, were even the cook for the barrels is local. More than a gimmick, the Canadian oak imparts a unique flavour; it's not as in-your-face as the American oaked chardonnays, but had more presence than subtle French oak. I'd love to see this catch on for other Ontario wines!

This chardonnay is quite pleasant, with a pleasant round mouthfeel accompanied by the acidity you'd expect from an Ontario chardonnay. Apple, citrus with a hint of pineapple dominate the nose, with some secondary vanilla joining in. On the palate, the oak-derived flavours are more pronounced, with more vanilla and smoke. The slight herbaciousness gives away the cool climate wine, but not to the point of being unpleasant.

I served the wine with panko-crusted salmon, which was an excellent match. The wine is intense enough it could also work well with a chicken dish in a light sauce.

A good find. We liked it enough that we bought more before it sold out.

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

@featherstonewne Enjoyed this celebrating Canada 150! What couldn’t be better in rejoicing Canadian heritage than this Chardonnay from Featherstone Winery. Locally grown and aged in Canadian Oak barrels from oak trees in Brandford, Ontario. Fermented by wild yeast, adding quite a unique flavour. Medium gold colour with an exclusive bouquet featuring; peaches, apricots with a buttered pecan pie and vanilla pineapple upside-down-cake element. Flavours are rich and inviting. Poached pears and ripe golden honeyed apples and toasted almonds. Creamy, light and fresh, delicate vanilla intensity leaving a smooth and round finish. Pair with butter grilled Ontario whitefish and sauteed PEI scallops. 90 points -tasted July 1st, 2017

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Featherstone's Canadian Oak Chardonnay proudly uses locally grown 'Canadian' oak for the barrels this creamy Chardonnay was fermented in. Don't confuse this cool-climate Chardonnay with a Sonoma County (California) Chardonnay, despite its richness, as this hand-picked local-everything Chardonnay is purely Ontario-grown and a great expression of a richly oaked Chardonnay. If you like oaked Chardonnay (which I do!), then I recommend trying this unique offering from Featherstone. Russet apples, cinnamon, lees, and brioche on the nose and palate. The oak influence shows up very prominently in this wine, while still allowing the orchard fruit to shine. Enjoy with pork roast with an apple chutney, or with creamy autumn harvest soups. Tasted April 2017. 88 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

When a winery advertises the fact that they use Canadian oak, that is good for two reasons. The more obvious one is that they are buying from hard-working Canadians who need local support and also the character of Canadian oak. Canadian oak is actually the same as American (it is aaaaalll quercus alba/white oak). The difference is terroir and climate for the trees. Canadian oak is more subtle and firm than, say, generous Missouri white oak which is so rich it is better suited for whiskey.
A nice deep lemon. This wine has been getting bigger and bigger vintage after vintage; and with that the colour seems to be looking more oxidative evry time I see the new releases. It could also be reflective of vintages too. The last few have been balmy and the wines produced are super ripe and tasty.
The aromas have some baked apple, lemon curd, smoke, vanilla, and pineapple.
Flavourwise, very similarly focused on pinapple, vanilla, and smoke. Delicious and easy to appreciate.
This Chard is a personal favourite and is delicious every year. It actually withstands the test of time in the cellar too. Put this one with some lobster rolls, or crab cakes..

Jane Staples rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Very aromatic nose with pear, pineapple, butterscotch, buttered toast and smoke, repeated on palate with a rich, buttery mouthfeel and tropical pineapple finish.
Tasted June 2017