Today I wanted to try a rich oaked Chardonnay from BC to go with my roast turkey dinner for the Christmas holidays so I opened a bottle of McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2020 and was not disappointed.
My Wine Tasting Notes
McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2020 (BC $34.99)
From the winery website, the “Grapes were hand-sorted then whole bunch pressed from two different vineyards in Osoyoos. 100% barrel fermented with 20% new French oak. Lees stirring post ferment and full malolactic conversion.” 675 cases produced.
Appearance: Bright clear medium intensity lemon colour.
Nose: A medium intensity nose with rich aromas with toast, butterscotch, pineapple and oak. Nutmeg and apple aromas were added with some time in the glass. These rich aromas persist after decanting.
Palate: Dry, very round with a medium-plus body and flavour intensity. Toast, butterscotch and pineapple flavours on the palate. The flavours were quite intense as soon as you poured the glass, but give it a minute or two of swirl time and the flavours lighten up nicely. On the mid-palate you get some nutmeg, oak and black pepper flavours. The wine has a lighter mouthfeel with decanting, but is still very round and has a viscous texture. In addition to the toast, butterscotch and pineapple, I also picked up baked apple and lemon. The black pepper flavour was minimized.
Finish: A medium length finishing with a soft mouthfeel, and pineapple, butterscotch, nutmeg and peppery flavours. Same flavours with decanting, but add some bitterness.
Thank you to Winemaker Lynzee Schatz for making this elegant Chardonnay. A balance of fruit, spices, acidity, and oak. Decanted or not, it hits the spot for your holiday dinner.
Rating: 
I enjoyed this wine with my roast turkey. As the wine lightened up in flavours and mouthfeel it did not compete with the flavours of the turkey, dressing and gravy. The sweet spices and butterscotch flavours of the wine were very complimentary to my turkey dinner. One of the dishes recommended by the winery for this wine is bacon-wrapped pan-seared scallops and I agree that would be quite wonderful.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
You can purchase this Chardonnay at the TIME Family of Wines website.
