And there it was, on an eye-level shelf in the cooler at The Wine Thief in Gastown, mocking both me and most of the wine education I’ve had over the years…

Lindeman’s Bin 70 Chardonnay Riesling 2007

There are the classic grape blends we’re all used to, based on the various wine regions of France.  The Savuvignon Blanc/Semillons of Bordeaux, the Syrah/Viogniers of Côte-Rôtie, the intricate combos of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer and so on in Alsace.

Chardonnay Riesling?

Nope, never seen it before.

As expected, this is a bit of a weird one.  Two grapes, both enjoyable, but acting independent of one another.  The Chardonnay offers some great pineapple, mango and apricot notes.  The Riesling has some nice lemon and limeyness (we really have to get a wine-term version of Spell Check) with notes of petrol, great minerality and quite jaunty acidity streaking through it.  There’s some subtle use of oak, which lays this whole complicated fruit marmalade on a nice thick piece of cinnamon toast.

Those with intimate knowledge of both grapes will find they’ll swing back and forth like a pendulum from notes of one to the other.  This wine is definitely ”Chardonnay.  Riesling.”, and not “ChardonnayRiesling”.

Intriguing?  Totally.  Tasty?  Sure.

It’s 15 bucks.  Give ‘er a whirl!