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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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Borra Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay
Gill Creek Ranch

This limited-edition Chardonnay from our Gill Creek Ranch vineyard is our very first to be barrel fermented, aged and stirred sur lie in 50% new French oak for 18 months, yielding ...morean abundance of beautiful cascading floral aromatics. This creamy nectar is a harmonious blending of mouth-watering Crenshaw melon and crisp green apple with a touch of lime,
finishing with caramelized toasted vanilla oak, walnut and wild banana. 330 cases. Limit 6 bottles per person.

^$30.00

Roessler Cellars

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2005 Alder Springs Mendocino Chardonnay
Mendocino County

The 2005 Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay from the slopes of Laytonville in Mendocino County exemplifies of the high quality of wines produced from this cool-climate site. Classic ...more chardonnay fruit, lemon zest, and cut grass build to almost Viognier-like aromatics of apricot and floral notes on the nose, along with vanilla and toasted oak. The nose is reflected in the palate with a creamy, almost viscous mouthfeel enlivened by balanced acidity. The oak and fruit work well together, and the citrus and stone fruit notes are joined by crisp pear and minerality through the finish.

^$38.00

Roessler Cellars

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2005 Brosseau Chalone Chardonnay

2005 marks our first year producing Brosseau Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and we couldn't be happier with the results. Our Brosseau Chardonnay has a nose of wet stone and pineapple w ...moreith hints of cedar and integrated oak. On the palate, the fruit opens to include apple nuances and pineapple, with good oak structure, wonderful texture from the limestone, and a lingering finish of seamless acidity. The finish actually builds up again before finally trailing off over a long period. It is showing very well right now, and will open up even more over the coming years.

^$38.00

Roessler Cellars

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2005 Clos Pepe Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

^$42.00

De La Montanya Estate

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2006 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

Silver Mountain Vineyards

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2002 Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains

Nose: Restrained, with hint of apples and cassis.

Palate: Nice acid balance, lively, with citrus flavors, ripe melon, and a touch of earthiness.

^$22.00

Silver Mountain Vineyards

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2004 Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains

The delicious mineral quality of Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay with refreshing acidity; apricots, vanilla and cream.

^$22.00

Brown Estate Vineyards

CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

2006 Chardonnay
Chiles Valley District

This wine is characterized by a crystal clear brilliant canary diamond color and an impressive nose of Key lime, tropical pineapple, honeysuckle, kiwi and Meyer lemon zest. It is b ...moreright, spare and lean with unmistakable chardonnay roundness. This is a refreshingly deep wine with a subtle creamy texture and the slightest hint of toasted brioche on the lengthy finish. Its firm acidity persists through layers of classic fruit, balancing the richness of its distinct chardonnay quality and reflecting the minerality of the hillside vineyard source. Non-malolactic fermentation, bright acidity, and westerly hillside exposure result in a uniquely lean, deep chardonnay. Drink now through 2020.

^$48.00

Brutocao Cellars

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2005 Chardonnay, Riserva d' Argento
Mendocino

Well, here we have your classic Mendocino Chardonnay flavors of ripe green apple and luscious melon yet there is no mistaking the tropical pineapple that lingers on the finish. Bli ...moress vineyards block #15 fruit ripened beautifully in 2005. Barrel fermented, sur lees aged and cloaked in creamy French oak, our 2005 Reserve Chardonnay is pure 'joy in a glass' from the vineyards of Brutocao for you.

^$25.00

Brutocao Cellars

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2006 Chardonnay, Bliss Vineyard
Mendocino

Classic Bliss Vineyard green apple, ripe honeydew and lemongrass flavors adorn our 2006 rendition of Brutocao home ranch Chardonnay. Aged in natural French oak for 6 months to comb ...moreine depth of texture with succulent fruit, the result is a perfect partner for fun with food, family and friends.

Gold Medal-
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

Silver Medal-
San Francisco
Chronicle
Wine Competition

^$16.00

Burrell School Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains

Classic Burgundian style Chardonnay with signature flavors of lively citrus notes, hints of mango and apricot, vanilla and soft nutty oak. Crisp acidity and a long finish bode well ...more for cellar-aging for four to five years.

^$22.00

Dog House Wines

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2005 Charlie's Chardonnay

A youthful, playful, fruit-driven wine with refreshing aromas of juicy lemon and sweet citrus blossom. Caramel apple flavors complement creamy malolactic textures. The rich mouthfe ...moreel is well-balanced by a friendly nip of bright acidity. Vanilla nuances from malolactic fermentation wrap up with a fresh and clean finish.

^$9.99

Gallo Sonoma

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2005 Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay

Our 2005 Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay marries the rich full flavors of ripe apple, pear, and pineapple fruits with a hint of vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich with juicy flavors of peach ...more and mango brightened by lively acidity along with toasty, buttery notes followed by a crisp, clean finish. A delicious complement to almost any meal including grilled chicken, fresh salmon, or lighter pasta dishes.

Gallo Sonoma

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2004 Laguna Vineyard Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

Grapes for this wine were handpicked and sent whole cluster to a membrane press, bypassing the crusher to reduce the potential for bitter tannin extraction. A press cut was taken a ...moret 110 to 140 gallons/ton to increase elegance and to allow the classic Russian River Valley chardonnay varietal character to shine through.

Gallo Sonoma

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2005 Two Rock Vineyard Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast

Our Two Rock Chardonnay is a French Chablis style wine with California ripeness. This wine is both delicate and layered, with flavors of pear and green apple balanced by rich tro ...morepical notes. A Chardonnay with no oak influence, this wine has a pleasant mineral characteristic that was imparted from the soil at our Two Rock Vineyard. An ideal complement when paired with shellfish, lighter pasta dishes, and grilled chicken.

Gallo Sonoma

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2004 Gallo of Sonoma Estate Chardonnay
Northern Sonoma

Our Estate Chardonnay makes a statement by combining a balance of power and elegance, resulting in a complex, refined, and well structured wine. The wine exhibits subtle floral aro ...moremas imparted from the oak aging and balanced with an intense bouquet of pear, apple and stone fruit typical of a cool-climate Chardonnay. The flavors showcase complex layers of fig, peach, butterscotch, creamy caramel apple and citrus fruits all melded together in a round mouth-feel with a long, lingering and silky finish. This well structured wine can be enjoyed now or cellared up to eight years.

Tamayo Family Vineyards / Cana Wine

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2006 Chardonnay
Sonoma County

This, our second release of Chardonnay under the Tamayo hallmark, reflects the cool region where it is grown. Predominantly from the Russian River in Sonoma, this cool white shows ...morebeautiful Chardonnay fruit aromatics with a seductive undercurrent of spiced oak and refreshing stone fruit nuances. The flavors are both refreshing and rich with a beautiful balance of acidity that will ensure this as a perfect compliment to many cuisines.

Silver Medal - '08 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

^$20.00

Hawley Wine

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2005 Hawley Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

This 100% Chardonnay shows flavors of crisp green apples, citrus, and peach along with spicy oak notes and a buttery mouth-feel.

^$22.00

Calcareous Winery

CAW Rating: 93

100

1 reviews

2005 Chardonnay
Paso Robles

The 2005 Chardonnay offers a rich yellow straw color. It presents a bouquet of creamy peach fruit, hazelnut, vanilla oak and a hint of nuttiness. The palate is rich and full, exhib ...moreiting flavors of orange-citrus, which lead to the wine's lingering butter finish.

^$24.00

Reynolds Family Winery

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2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley

Creamy caramel to start with a touch of ripe pear. Will bring to mind well balanced tropical fruits and a slight touch of tangerine that finishes with smooth caramel and a mouth wa ...moretering citrus finish. Our non-malolactic fermentation style Chardonnay is very food friendly, and a great refresher for those warm days.

^$33.00

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Top Rated Chardonnay

2006 Chardonnay
Chiles Valley District

CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

More Chardonnay Ratings

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
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars

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