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Chardonnay Wine Tasting Notes
2005 Mosby La Donna
Santa Barbara County [Chardonnay and Cortese] - not listed on the label
Score: 87.0
Mosby is one of the top dozen most interesting wineries in California. Mosby performs beyond expectations every vintage, turning out first rate varietal renditions of relatively obscure grapes, coming up with uniquely Californian interpretations, and never straying from classic balance and structure. La Donna is a blend of Cortese, a Piemontese variety, and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay gives it body and breadth along with its typical lemon chiffon flavor, while the Cortese provides acidity and a floral-green grass flavor. Underlying the amalgam is a vibrant green melon flavor. It?s not the most complex wine in the world, so it won?t garner high point scores, but it is a most enjoyable wine that works equally well as an aperitif or with the subtly flavored foods. Only 750 cases produced.
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2004 Robert Mondavi Winery
Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve
Score: 89.0
Complex barrel fermentation notes mingling with lemon chiffon fruit. The finish is extraordinarily long, though a bit warmer than I'd like.
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2003 Sebastiani
Sonoma County Selection Chardonnay
Score: 87.0
If you like some oak presence but still crave crisp acidity, this is up your alley. The fruit points to pear and Golden Delicious apples, while the oak adds a touch of vanilla. The acidity makes it an ideal wine to pair with oily or spicy foods.
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2004 Pine Ridge Dijon Clones
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Score: 82.0
I've been a fan of Pine Ridge wines for years, but this 14.6% alcohol rendition is just too ripe. The flavors are awkward, if abundant, and the balance problematic. Serve well-chilled.
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2005 Inca
Calchaqui Valley Argentina Torrontes - Chardonnay
Score: 91.0
Torrontes, which accounts for 80% of this blend, is Argentina's answer to Gewurtraminer; it's dry, delicate and aromatic, with a rose petal character, crisp acidity, and some white peach and lichee thrown into the mix on the palate. The remaining 20% of the blend is Chardonnay, which gives it a bit more body. This rendition is well-balanced and has a pleasant, lingering finish. A fine aperatif, it also works as a palate cleanser with all kinds of dishes, from salads to fish to curry. Very good value.
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2000 Kim Crawford
Marlborough New Zealand Chardonnay unoaked
Score: 89.0
"You wont believe this wine has never seen oak; it has the richness and round mouthfeel of a barrel fermented Chardonnay, due to the secondary malolactic fermentation. The intense, layered fruit calls to mind kumquat and white peach. Silky smooth on the mid-palate, crisp and citrusy on the finish, its a superb match for a wide range of Pacific Rim and fusion food."
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1999 Chateau Souverain
Sonoma County Chardonnay
Score: 88.0
"Souverains Chardonnays are never shy, and the 1999 vintage is no exception - big, toasty, ripe and well-balanced, with rich tropical fruit, silky texture and a long fruit and spice finish. Pair with ceviche, grilled swordfish, or prawns."
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1999 Blackstone Winery
Monterey County Chardonnay
Score: 92.0
"WHITE WINE OF THE MONTH An extraordinary value, the Blackstone Chardonnay delivers the elegance and balance you expect (though rarely find) in wines three times the price. Silky smooth, it delivers fresh, lemony fruit with seamless integration of oak tones and a scintillating mineral edge in the finish. A real find; go out and buy and case or two."
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1999 Yering Station
"Yarra Valley, Victoria" Australia Chardonnay
Score: 91.0
"Light, lively and dry, this fascinating Chardonnay from Victorias oldest winery is a swirl of aromas and flavors - melon, pineapple, mint and grapefruit, with mineral tones on the finish. Excellent balance and finesse. "
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1998 "Antonin Rodet, Chateau de Rully"
Appellation Controlee Rully [chardonnay]
Score: 90.0
It's exceptional to find a white Burgundy of this quality at such an affordable price. The Chalonnaise was once a poor cousin to its immediately northern neighbors, but under the capable winemaking of Nadine Gubin, Chateau de Rully has taken a giant step forward in quality. The 1998 has a fresh, floral aroma. On the palate its light, lively and dry, with tart citrus and mineral character. A perfect wine for shellfish or chicken.
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1999 Clos du Val
Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay
Score: 88.0
"Nicely balanced and complex, this dry Chardonnay reverberates with apple and pineapple fruit, a jolt of vanilla and light spices through the pleasantly bitter finish. "
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1999 William Hill
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Score: 93.0
My East Coast friends chaffe at California Chardonnays, which they see as fat, over oaked and clumsy. But William Hill Chardonnays emphasize subtlety and balance, incorporating citrus, pear and peach elements, with complex mineral notes, and restrained, well-integrated oak. More difficult to describe is the finesse - the perfect proportion and intensity from the nose through the finish. Dont deny yourself one of lifes little pleasures.
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1999 Geyser Peak Winery
Sonoma County Chardonnay
Score: 90.0
"An extraordinarily elegant, creamy textured, well-balanced Chardonnay with seamless integration of oak and fruit (mild pear , papaya and a hint of butter), and pleasant acidity that carries the finish. A perfect aperitif, it may also be paired with mild flavored dishes. Excellent value."
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1999 Geyser Peak Winery
Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Score: 88.0
"Angular and spicy, with bright apple and pear fruit laced with butter and cnnamon. Brash by itself, its enhanced by pairing with flavorful foods."
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1998 Gloria Ferrer
Carneros Chardonnay
Score: 90.0
"All the bells and whistles that went into making this Chardonnay take a backseat to the fresh, vibrant fruit that calls to mind lemon zest, apple and pineapple. Zesty acidity and a whisp of vanilla round out the taste sensations. Quintessential shellfish wine."
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