I’ve gone off Chardonnay a bit recently (as have many others, from what I’ve read), but this was a staff pick at Kits Wine Cellar, so I thought I’d give it a try. Clear light lemon-gold appearance; classic Chardonnay nose with nut and oak qualities. Strong acidity with tasteful oaking; pretty one-dimensional, though. Good body and length.

Another bottle I picked up at Nancy’s Wines for Food in New York.

Clear, medium gold appearance. Nice apricot-petrol nose. Good acidity balancing earthy sweet honey qualities. Excellent.

A birthday gift from my wife, bought on my first visit to Everything Wine in North Vancouver.

Clear, pale silver-gold appearance. Straightforward Riesling nose with honey, melon, and slate qualities. Good body. But the apricot-honey palate seems to be working somewhat in opposition to the acidity, and a bit of lingering minerality in the length disappoints slightly. Still, a nice drinkable Riesling.