Chardonnay Wine Tasting Notes

Adler Fels Sonoma County Chardonnay Coleman Reserve Score: 95.0 "Stunning! A Chardonnay with all the bells and whistles in perfect balance. Silky, rich, full-bodied and aromatic, it starts with peach pie and butterscotch notes in the nose. On the palate it shows an impression of sweetness in the ripe apple flavors, and spicy mineral complexity" Adler Fels Sonoma County Chardonnay Score: 94.0 "The '97 Sonoma County is bright and elegant and even more aaromatic than the reserve, with a bitter pear character, medium body, crisp, spritzy texture, intense lingering fruit finish. A great fish or pork wine. " Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay Score: 93.0 "Spectacular! A glorious Califoria style Chardonnay with exuberent peach and pineapple fruit, hints of almonds, and a creamy texture. Excellent balance makes this easy to pair with swordfish, pork chops or veal or other mild meats and cheeses." Kendall-Jackson California Chardonnay Grande Reserve Score: 80.0 "A sweet, round Chardonnay that would be best paired with pound cake. " Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Chardonnay "barrel fermented, Reserve" Score: 84.0 "Apples and toffee, a bit of vanilla and lemon, velvety texture, modest finish." Hogue Columbia Valley Washington Chardonnay Barrel Select Score: 85.0 "A light, well-balanced, lightly oaked Chardonnay with light butter and vanilla, plus melon flavors. Best with poultry." Audubon Cellars Trio C Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay Late Harvest Score: 88.0 "A whopping 13.6 % residual sugar, this concentrated Chardonnay is balanced both by good acidity and by a slight bitter almond note running through the mid-palate. Flavors run the gammut from apricot to apple to cinnamon and nutmeg. Pair with fruit tarts or ripe cheeses. Half bottle: " 1997 Byington Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay Score: 88.0 "The winery may see a change in style with the recent hiring of Don Blackburn, previously with Bernardus, but for now this is very reminiscent of Chalone- a rich, seamless wine, a blend of vanilla and caramel apple flavors, soft and velvety on the palate, crisp in the finish." 1997 Laetitia Arroyo Grande Valley Chardonnay Estate Reserve Score: 92.0 "One of the most auspicious debuts of the decade. Delicate, uplifting nose of tropical fruit and lemon, dry, medium-bodied and silky smooth on the palate, it has lively fruit, great length and superb balance. A very classy rendition. Perfect for veal, pork, grilled vegetables and corn cakes." 1996 Simi Goldfields Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay Estate Bottled Reserve Score: 89.0 "Full-bodied, full-flavored, this is a wine of intense toast, vanilla and dill aromas and flavors. Big and brawny, its nonetheless well-balanced and offers a lot of character for those who like their wines on the large size." 1997 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay Unfiltered Score: 88.0 "Big, rich, buttery fruit, full-bodied and silky smooth on the mid-palate, evoking sweet ripe pears, vanilla and smoke, with crisp acidity and a long finish. While it would work with full-flavored fish like ahi or swordfish, it seems to demand cream sauces, " 1997 Robert Mondavi Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay Unfiltered Score: 90.0 "Like a velvet glove on the tongue, it offers up round slabs dry pineapple, apple and vanilla. Creamy, rich and satisfying, Id pair it with bechemel. " 1997 Jekel Vineyards FOS Monterey Chardonnay Reserve Score: 87.0 "As rich a Chardonnay as youll be likely to find. Extra full-bodied, smooth as the inside of a womans thigh (well leave that to your imagination), butter and vanilla with the impression of sweetness on entry, though dry through the spicy finish. Intense, serve well-chilled. It is perhaps best enjoyed as an aperitif, though it would also serve with dishes like coquille St. Jacques and other cream sauces." 1998 Hawk Crest (second label of Stags Leap Wine Cellars) California Chardonnay Score: 87.0 "Elegant ripe melon and apple with round oaky undertones, vanilla, fine balance and a tart citrusy finish. Pasta with cream sauce and fish would be the natural accompaniment." 1997 Grigich Hills Napa Valley Chardonnay Score: 92.0 "The epitome of the California-style-a big, ripe, flavorful wine that is nonetheless balanced by lively acidity. Intensely fruity, flavors of pineapple, apple and vanilla play across the palate and seem to grow in complexity throughout the lingering finish. A powerful wine, it demands equally flavorful food-try it with chicken paprikas, stroganoff, and pineapple glazed ham."

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