The next Chardonnay that I am tasting for my Ontario Chardonnay Review comes from Henry of Pelham. I received four bottles of their Chardonnay wines. Today I am tasting two of them: Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Chardonnay 2025 and the Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2023. The winery follows Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’s world-leading standards in their farming practices since 2004. In 2017, they became one of only six Ontario wineries to be certified by the Wine Council of Ontario as following sustainable winemaking practices from vine to table. They undertake a range of steps from wetland restoration and biofiltration to reforestation and water conservation.
The Speck Brothers is one of the labels owned by Henry of Pelham, but where did it originate? It was launched by brothers Paul, Matthew, and Daniel Speck to showcase accessible, fruit-forward wines. Brothers Paul, Matthew, and Daniel Speck, who started planting vines in the Short Hills Bench as teenagers in 1984, developed the brand to highlight premium grapes, according to Henry of Pelham. The family vineyard, now the site of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, was originally owned by their ancestor, Henry Smith (the “Henry of Pelham” nickname) in the 1840s.
Here are my tasting notes for these two wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Chardonnay 2025 (ON $14.95)
Appearance: A clear, bright, medium intensity lemon colour.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of citrus, predominantly lime, along with sweet spices and pears. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body with a round, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity. Predominantly lime flavour, with other citrus, green fruits, and touches of peach and sweet spices. Medium-plus to pronounced flavours. No changes to the body or flavours of the wine after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus to long length, finishing with tart lime flavour, green fruits and sweet spices. A little puckering on the finish along with some hotness. No change to the finish after decanting.
A Chardonnay with bright, primarily lime aroma, that continues to the palate. Tart acidity with a touch of sweet spices. No need to decant. I don’t normally associate lime aroma or flavour with Chardonnay. An interesting surprise.
Rating: 
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The Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Chardonnay 2025 shows a bright medium lemon colour with aromas of citrus led by lime, along with pear and touches of sweet spice. The palate is dry and medium-plus in body with a round, slightly thicker texture and fresh acidity, offering lime-driven citrus, green fruit, and hints of peach and sweet spice. It finishes medium-plus to long with tart lime, green fruit, and sweet spice, lightly puckering and a touch of hotness.
Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2023 (ON $15.95)
Their story about this wine. It’s “…named after Marion who kept goats next to the vineyard when the Speck Bros. were children. Marion fed their dog Boswell warm bowls of fresh goats’ milk and it didn’t take long for him to abandon them and move in with her“. Winemaker’s notes, “100% Chardonnay. Fermented and aged in American oak for 7 months. Partial malolactic fermentation..”
Appearance: A clear, bright deep mix of lemon and gold colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of ripe pineapple, butterscotch, sweet spices, and oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, with medium-plus body and a round, soft, creamy, thicker mouthfeel. Ripe pineapple, butterscotch, cinnamon and a hint of oak on the palate. Medium to medium-plus acidity. Lighter body and acidity after decanting along with a lighter mouthfeel. Add some nutmeg spice flavour after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus to long length, finishing with flavours of ripe pineapple, butterscotch, and sweet spices. The wine gets a little peppery on the finish after decanting.
Quite a delicious oaked Chardonnay. It has a nice creamy mouthfeel and flavours of ripe pineapple, butterscotch and sweet spices. No need to decant.
Rating: The Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2023 shows a bright deep lemon-gold colour with aromas of ripe pineapple, butterscotch, sweet spices, and oak. The palate is dry and medium-plus in body with a round, creamy texture, offering pineapple, butterscotch, cinnamon, and a hint of oak balanced by medium to medium-plus acidity, with lighter body and added nutmeg after decanting. It finishes medium-plus to long with ripe pineapple, butterscotch, and sweet spices, gaining a light peppery note with decanting.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines can be purchased online from the Henry of Pelham website:
- Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Chardonnay 2025
- Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2023
The Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Chardonnay 2025 is available at LCBO stores. Although not showing on their websites, in BC, you can purchase the Classic Chardonnay at select Real Canadian Superstores. In Alberta, Willow Park Wines & Spirits in Calgary and Edmonton carries The Goat Lady Chardonnay. You can check with LiquorConnect.com in Alberta for all stores that carry these two wines.
