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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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Reynolds Family Winery

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2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley

Starts with heavenly tropical fruit and sweet caramel notes with an added touch of tangy citrus and a smooth mineral quality. Very food friendly â€“ Our best Chardonnay yet.

^$30.00

Vine Hill Winery

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2006 Clements Hills Chardonnay
Clements Hills

The 2006 Clements Hills Chardonnay is from a new appellation located in the western Sierra foothills. The nearest town is Clements, CA, hence the name. This Chardonnay exhibits a w ...moreide range of flavors including an interesting blend of green apple and citrus. There is a hint of vanilla and butter integrated into this wine during barrel fermentation and the delightful wine flavors linger long after the wine is consumed. The excellent acid and flinty minerality make it a pleasure to imbibe on a warm summer?s day or with oysters or both!

^$20.00

Cerro Caliente Cellars

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2006 Chardonnay
Edna Valley/Wolff Vineyards

Completely unfiltered 100% Chardonnay grown in the Edna Valley. Good mouth feel with honey and lime notes.

^$24.00

Calera Wine Company

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2006 Chardonnay Le Petit
Mt. Harlan

We made this wine from a second, younger block of Chardonnay vines, planted in 1998 on steep west-facing slopes situated close to the old, original limestone quarry. The wine made ...morefrom this young vineyard expresses a delightful brightness and supple fruit characters of apple and pear. It exhibits the classic creamy texture and the wonderful mineral character for which our Mt. Harlan Chardonnays have become known.

^$20.00

Calera Wine Company

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2006 Chardonnay
Mt. Harlan

The 2006 Mt. Harlan Chardonnay has a bit of everything, alluring aromas of apples, mandarin essence and vanilla, along with a very creamy unctuous texture. It shows great balance, ...morewith well-integrated acid, just a touch of restrained oak and an abundance of the minerality typical of Mt. Harlan's limestone soils.

^$25.00

Calera Wine Company

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2006 Chardonnay
Central Coast

The 2006 Central Coast Chardonnay is wonderfully vibrant. Bright, fresh varietal aromas are accented with notes of citrus, pineapple and exotic tropical fruits. On the palate excel ...morelent structure and balance promote the wine's intriguing combination of ripe fruit flavors, accented with floral notes and a subtle touch of oak.

^$16.00

Carmel Road Winery

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2006 Chardonnay
Monterey County

"The 2006 is an overtly fruit-forward wine with a rich palate and crisp framework. Lemon sorbet/zest, pear, citrus blossom, and sweet vanilla flavors lead to toasted baguette in th ...moree finish."
- Ivan Giotenov, Winemaker

^$14.00

Carmel Road Winery

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2004 Chardonnay
Arroyo Seco

"Distinctive, shy-bearing clones such as Rued and Dijon have been specifically selected for Carmel Road Chardonnay. These clones thrive in the decomposed granite soils of Arroyo Se ...moreco and provide focused flavors and perfumed aromatics of citrus and melon fruit. Complete malolactic fermentation with weekly stirrings add creamy, vanilla and toasty notes to the wine."
- Ivan Giotenov, Winemaker

^$35.00

Fenton Herriott Vineyards

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2005 Chardonnay
El Dorado

An exceptionally well-balanced, medium-bodied white varietal. A distinctive grapefruit-green plum nose leading into creamy pear sweetness with toasted French oak and vanilla accen ...morets with a pleasant crisp finish.

^$17.00

Findleton Estate & Winery

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2006 Chardonnay
El Dorado County

The Findleton Estate and Winery Chardonnay was hand-picked, pressed and 100% barrel fermented in new French Oak and aged for 8 months on its lees. Weekly batonage (lees stirring) w ...moreas performed and the winewas allowed to undergo a partial malolactic fermentation to develop increased textural components add secondary aromas. The resulting wine displays a nice balance of primary fruit and lees attributes with layers of gardenia, pear, and lime fragrances over a background of biscuit, and nuances of vanilla and butter. The palate is full-bodied and viscous with citrus flavors and hints of spice followed by a long, slightly nutty finish.

^$22.00

Gold Note Winery

CAW Rating: 91

100

2 reviews

2006 Chardonnay
Fair Play

This vintage is made in a well-balanced, light, and fruity style. Perfect for year-round sipping!
Silver Medal-2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Bronze ...moreMedal-2007 Amador County Fair

^$20.00

Iverson Vineyards and Winery

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2006 Chardonnay
Fair Play

A full-bodied white wine with a pleasant balance of clean flavorings. We made this one in Stainless to allow the true flavors of the Chardonnay grapes shine through.

^$16.00

Narrow Gate Vineyards

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2006 Chardonnay
El Dorado

Aromas of apple, peaches & apricots with upfront tropical flavors of papaya & mango and a hint of caramel. The mid-palate delivers a smooth texture along with a creaminess from ba ...morerrel aging on the lees. The finish is bright, with honey and key lime notes that carry through to the refreshing, lingering finish. 100% barrel fermented, no malolactic fermentation, aged sur lie. Drinking now to 2010.

^$18.95

Winery By The Creek

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2006 Chardonnay
El Dorado

A traditional California Chardonnay. Beautiful satisfying texture, rich flavors balanced by domestic and French oak.

^$16.00

Colibri Ridge Winery & Vineyard

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2005 Chardonnay
Fair Play

Our Chardonnay has captured the essence of the Chardonnay grape. Our Chardonnay was 100% barrel fermented in French oak barrels, and only 50 % was allowed to go through malolactic ...morefermentation. You will experience both the flavor of the fruit and an underling taste of that buttery flavor which is characteristic of many Chardonnay wines.

There is good acidity to this rich, ripe wine that will never overpower a meal. It is a well-balanced wine that has a light, fruity finish that will seduce your tongue. We know this wine will satisfy any lover of Chardonnay. Appellation - Fair Play

^$14.50

Eric Kent Wine Cellars

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2006 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

A slightly richer gold in hue than its Sonoma Coast sibling, this one is more of a showboat right off the dock. Exotic floral aromas mingle with scents of ripe pear and baking spic ...morees that lure you in to discover more pear, apricot, honeydew melon and butterscotch on the palate. A broad and expansive finish leads us to believe it will be ready for its maiden voyage soon enough. That said, we humbly suggest giving it a couple extra months rest in the bottle before setting sail.

While crisp acidity ensures it will be an excellent companion to food, this Chardonnay should also lend itself to solo sipping and evolve into a genuine pool-side pleasure come summertime.

^$38.00

Eric Kent Wine Cellars

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2006 Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? No, let's not. More like a crisp fall day with blue skies, bright sunshine and an invigorating chill in the air. Light golden straw in color ...more, with a clear almost green tinge at the edges, this youngster leads with a nose of pure citrus and minerality followed by a palate of lemon, lime, tart Granny Smith apple and pineapple, with hints of peach and just a touch of vanilla custard. All backed by mouth-watering acidity and a high-toned, laser-like finish that lasts all the way to the horizon and back.

A tremendous food Chardonnay (wait. . . do they exist? Yes they do!) â€” tightly wound upon release, it will only gain in texture and body as it matures. We recommend at least 6 - 8 months cellar time before opening up your first bottle in the later days of '08.

^$37.00

Bargetto Winery

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2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation

The 2006 Chardonnay Regan Reserve is a blend of two clones of chardonnay from the estate vineyard. Ninety percent of the wine is the Mount Eden clone, which develops later in the s ...moreeason than clone 4, the other constituent. Wine made from Mt. Eden clone has much more intensity in flavors and aromas than some other clones of chardonnay as shown with citrus, green apple and floral aromas. This follows with additional flavors of toasty oak and vanilla from the oak aging and viscous mouth feel with crisp finish.

^$30.00

Bargetto Winery

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2005 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation

The grapes for this Chardonnay came from our own Regan Estate Vineyards. We grow two clones of Chardonnay there: Mount Eden and Clone 4. This wine is a blend of the two. The 2005 C ...morehardonnay has aromas of citrus, particularly of grapefruit, with hints of oak and butter. There is a lingering mouth feel and a refreshing acidity that will make this a great food wine.

^$20.00

Cambria Winery & Vineyard

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2006 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley

"The 2006 vintage is bright with citrus, apple, peach, and vanilla aromas. Rich, mouth-filling flavors of grapefruit, citrus blossom, white peach, and sweet oak lead to a crisp fin ...moreish with a lasting impression of spicy oak."

-Denise Shurtleff, Winemaker

^$19.00

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Top Rated Chardonnay

2006 Chardonnay
Chiles Valley District

CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

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 bright, spare and lean with unmistakable chardonnay roundness. This is a refreshingly deep wine with a subtle creamy text ...

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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