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Wine Guide > Chardonnay

Chardonnay

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Chardonnay is a versatile grape. In cold regions such as Chablis, it shows crisp acidity and flavours of green hay with the flinty notes typical of the terroir - the wine even has a green tinge. Just 100 miles south, in the CÃ´te de Beaune, the white Burgundies are much riper and richer, reflecting warmer conditions and the increasing use of oak.

Chardonnay wines taste very different when the vines are grown in hot climates such as those in the plains of California and Australia. The conditions ensure ripe grapes, which lead to high levels of alcohol in the wine, and rich flavours of peach, melon, citrus and tropical fruits. In the 1980â€™s and 1990â€™s many New World winemakers responded to these bold flavours with equally bold use of oak, ageing the wine for long periods in new oak barrels. The cheap way to add oakiness would be the addition of staves or wood chips to wine in stainless steel containers. The intention was to impart complexity to the wines by introducing desirable aromas of vanilla, caramel, and butteriness. Too often the result tasted like chewing on a piece of wood, and this led to something of a consumer backlash against heavy, oaky Chardonnays. Winemakers in Australia and New Zealand reacted with completely unoaked Chardonnays from cooler climates, whereas in the United States there was more emphasis on controlling the oaking process. Thus they experimented with oak from different sources (French, American, Central European oaks all have different effects on wine), with different treatments (for instance toasting the barrels imparts smokiness and toast flavours) and reduced the oak influence by using bigger barrels (which have less oak per volume of wine), oaking only some of the wine in the blend, or using a mix of harsh new oak and older barrels.

More information on Chardonnay

Food Pairing: Pairs well with any poultry and Vietnamese cuisine. Wonderful with fruits, strong cheeses and capers. Also works beautifully with grilled freshwater fish. On a hot day, a very cold chardonnay served with a plate of figs, balsamic vinegar, and a salty hard

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Alderbrook Winery

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2005 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

This 2005 Russian River Chardonnay deliciously demonstrates why the Russian River Valley is so revered for the cultivation of cool-weather varietals like Chardonnay.

^$18.00

Stagâ€™s Leap Wine Cellars

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2005 Arcadia Vineyard Estate Chardonnay
Napa Valley

The 2005 ARCADIA VINEYARD Chardonnay opens with a gorgeous bouquet of orange blossoms, lemon grass, and wildflower honey. This inviting perfume is enriched with flavors of spiced a ...morepples and pears laced around a flinty core. The wine has a bright, juicy entry with expanding roundness on the mid-palate, finishing with a dancing lightness and lingering sensations of citrus and vanilla spice. Itâ€™s an excellent companion to herb-crusted salmon on a bed of mesclun, chicken saltimbocca with lemon sauce, or as an aperitif with Epoisse, the traditional Burgundian cowâ€™s milk cheese.

^$50.00

Stagâ€™s Leap Wine Cellars

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2006 Karia Chardonnay

Inviting aromas of white peach, apple, spiced pear, and citrus join with floral notes of honeysuckle and roses to create a beautiful bouquet. The fruity aromas carry over to the pa ...morelate and marry with a subtle creaminess and a touch of warm brioche. This delicate richness makes the 2006 KARIA Chardonnay a versatile wine at the dinner table. Try it with chicken piccata, corn risotto, or a warm goat cheese salad.

^$32.00

Stagsâ€™ Leap Winery

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2006 Chardonnay
Napa Valley

Luscious aromas of white peach, tropical fruits, spice and honeysuckle greet the nose as this balanced Chardonnay presents flavors of lemon, pineapple and green apple on the palate ...more, and a creamy mouthfeel from aging on the lees. Pleasing floral and spice notes from the French oak carry rich fruit flavors through for a juicy, long finish.

^$28.00

Stagsâ€™ Leap Winery

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2005 Chardonnay
Napa Valley

Pleasing aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, peach, spice and floral notes are the introduction to this balanced Chardonnay, which features flavors of green apple, lemon and pineapp ...morele on the palate, and a creamy mouthfeel from aging on the lees. Backnotes of spice from the French oak and a touch of minerality commingle with the rich fruit flavors for a generous, long finish.

^$28.00

Adastra Wines

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2006 Chardonnay

A complex wine with aromas of citrus blossom, apple, pear, mineral and talc. Succeeds in combining a vibrant brightness with substantial mouthfeel. A wine to savor on its own or w ...moreith food.

^$35.00

Adastra Wines

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2005 Chardonnay

Aromas of lemony citrus, honey, incense, buttered toast and golden delicious apple. Medium-plus body, well-balanced with a pleasing finish. Delicious on its own and excellent wit ...moreh food.

^$35.00

Saddleback Cellars

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2005 Chardonnay

Our final 2005 Chardonnay blend includes fruit from our estate as well as 4% Viognier from Clarksburg. The vines at our vineyard are spaced 7x12 feet and trained in a bi-lateral co ...morerdon with two 36â€ cross-arms and are spur pruned. The soil here is moderately rich, deep, and well drained.

Bella Vista/Cilurzo Winery

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2003 Chardonnay
Temecula

A beautiful white, this Chardonnay offers refreshingly bright aromas and flavors of pear and pineapple. It is rich and vibrant with a dry crisp finish. Bella Vista Chardonnay was 1 ...more00% barrel fermented for six months. Great with any style of poultry, pork, seafood, or pasta Alfredo.

^$14.95

Pacific Ridge Vineyards

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2005 Pacific Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County

It has been ten years since our first Chardonnay was produced from Bien Nacido. This harvest presented a bit of a challenge that actually resulted in more evenly developed fruit. ...more Cool temperatures kept acid levels high, so a longer hang time was required for the Ph to rise. The temperatures did allow a slow enough rise that although sugar levels rose, the fruit was balanced at harvest, with wonderful maturity of flavor. A higher than usual alcohol level resulted, which has very nicely matched with the accentuated structure and complexity of the fruit from this harvest.

Our chardonnay from the two vineyards was fermented separately and later blended to produce a wonderfully complex wine. A proportion of this blend was barrel fermented. The wine was handled with minimal processing to retain the most possible flavor and reflect the terroir of these premiere vineyards. It was not heat or cold stabilized so may be a bit delicate (donâ€™t refrigerate for long periods but store at proper white wine cellar temperature). No fining was done but a filtration was performed before bottling.

Aged in a mix of neutral and newer French oak

^$30.00

Pedroncelli Winery

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2006 Chardonnay
Dry Creek Valley

A lighter styled Chardonnay--no barrel fermentation or malo-lactic fermentation here. Crisp, full flavored and tart apple fruit. Match with light pasta dishes, grilled chicken or ...more halibut.

^$12.00

Pedroncelli Winery

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2006 F. Johnson Vineyard Chardonnay
Dry Creek Valley

Full bodied, barrel fermented Chardonnay in a full flavored style. Citrus, apple notes predominate. Pair with chicken or seafood dishes and salads.

^$14.00

Callaway Winery

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2005 Special Selection Chardonnay
Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Rich, distinct, yet delicate aroma with hints of apple, lemon and peach complemented by 12 months of oak aging. This wine offers the delicacies of both fruit and oak.

Callaway Winery

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2004 Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay
Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Barrel fermented and aged, this wine is loaded with creamy, buttery undertones and complementing flavors of honey, butterscotch caramel.

^$28.00

Ken Brown Wines

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2006 Chardonnay, Nielson Vineyard
Santa Maria Valley

This small bottling of Chardonnay comes from a vineyard I have worked with for more than 20 years. Planted by pioneer, Uriel Nielson in 1964, this property is Santa Barbara Countyâ ...more€™s oldest vineyard. The old vines are especially expressive, so a minimalist approach to winemaking allows the character and integrity of the fruit to shine through. The wine was 100% barrel fermented with native yeasts, and underwent 100% malolactic fermentation. This Chardonnay aged sur lie for 10 months in French oak, with 13% new oak in the barrel mix.

This Chardonnay is silky and elegant with fresh aromas of gala apple, lemon blossom and honeysuckle, which will gradually evolve into aromas of honey, pear and hazelnut as the wine develops. A rich mouth feel and opulent mid-palate are beautifully balanced by bright natural acidity, a trademark of Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay. The wine culminates in a silky, seamless finish.

^$35.00

Ken Brown Wines

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2005 Chardonnay, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
Santa Rita Hills

Planted by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in 1971, this vineyard is the birthplace of the Santa Rita Hills appellation and helped bring recognition to the great potential of ...morethe region. This Chardonnay comes from the original vines planted to clone 108, which became the most widely planted Chardonnay clone in California. Situated on a north-facing slope, the vineyard is cooled by ocean breezes and coastal fog. The soil type is the Botella Series, a composition of both clay and loam with a high calcareous content, which drains well and helps keep yields low.

The old vines are especially expressive, so a minimalist approach to winemaking allows the character and integrity of the fruit to shine through. The grapes were hand picked and gently pressed as whole clusters. After settling in tank for 24 hours, the juice was racked to 60-gallon French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was 100% barrel fermented with 100% malo-lactic fermentation. The Chardonnay aged sur lie for 11 months in French oak, with 10% new oak in the barrel mix.

Well balanced and harmonious, this Chardonnay is stylish and crisp with fresh aromas of white peach and green apple, accented

^$30.00

Raymond Burr Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay
Dry Creek Valley

With hints of pineapple and citrus, this straw honey Chardonnay is a delightful mix of bright focused fruit and creamy, slightly oaked vanilla. It was aged on the lees and is 100% ...morebarrel fermented. Only 712 cases were produced.

^$28.00

Raymond Burr Vineyards

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2006 Chardonnay
Dry Creek Valley

Medium-light golden yellow in color. Attractive citrus and baked apple aroma with a note of toasted oak; crisp, rich green apple, full body with a creamy mouth feel. Well balanced, ...more crisp finish and a pleasant lingering aftertaste.Great food wine. Phyliss Zouzounis (100% barrel fermented, 100% melolactic fermentation)

^$28.00

Givich Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay, Silverado Hill Vineyard
Napa Valley

^$20.00

Sonoma Coast Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast

Chardonnay has, for me, always been about its food pairing qualities and our
2005 is a strong statement in that regard. This wine displays refreshing acidity
combined ...more in great proportion with full extraction and richness that is complete on
the palate. The taste profile is evolving a crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e richness in the framework
of a silky acid matrix. Fresh pear, mango and zesty lemon set the tone for fruit.
The aging potential for this wine is outstanding as all the elements of balance and
structure are in harmony.

^$50.00

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Top Rated Chardonnay

2004 Carneros Chardonnay
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CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

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Combined Rating
100.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Flavor
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Impression
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Bouquet
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