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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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Charles Creek Vineyard

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2006 Chardonnay "Las Patolitas"
Sonoma County

The Blend:
100% Chardonnay
100% Barrel Fermented, 11 months French Oak (15% new) Cooperage
50% Malolactic fermentation

The Wine: The l ...moreatest edition of the popular Las Patolitas Chardonnay continues to emphasize fruit over oak. Bright aromas of pear, citrus and peach are touched by a hint of spice. In the mouth delicious tree fruits, such as honeycrisp apple and pear emerge with a hint of the vanillin, toast and pie spice derived from good French Oak. The texture is smooth with a generous mouthfeel and crisp finish. Whether served as an aperitif or with flavorful poultry, pork or seafoods, this Chardonnay is a pleasure to drink.

The Stats:
Alc: 14.4%
Total Acidity: 0.54 mg/100mls
pH: 3.53
RS: 0.50%

^$24.99

August West Wines

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2006 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands

The 2006 August West Rosellaâ€™s Chardonnay is in many ways very similar to the 2005, our first vintage, and in other ways, quite different. Both wines were fermented in one year ...moreold French barrels with native yeasts and ML bacteria, and they both sat sur lies until bottling. 2005 and 2006 were very similar as long, cool harvests as well. The biggest difference is that the 2006 shows off more of the citrus and tropical character that comes from the Rosellaâ€™s Vineyard. The texture is full, round and expansive, and the finish is indefinitely long.

Melville Vineyards

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2006 Estate Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills

With an electric green-gold hue this wine has an elusive and fresh aromatic array of saline, limes, lemon drops, lemon-lime margarita, green apple skin, white currants and white ap ...morericots. Even more alluring are the other aspects of chalk, saltwater taffy, angel food cake, gingerbread, seashell, Italian parsley and orange-flower blossom. In the mouth, the wine is ample and fleshy yet remains very chiseled, delineated and crisp.

^$30.00

Ravenswood Winery

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2005 Chardonnay
Sonoma County

^$16.00

Ravenswood Winery

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2006 Chardonnay Sangiacomo

^$25.00

De Loach Vineyards

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2006 Chardonnay OFS
Russian River Valley

Selected from Our Finest vineyards, this Chardonnay is a marriage of the best that the Russian River Valley has to offer. It highlights the grace and elegance of one of the most b ...morealanced growing seasons in years. The Norris Vineyard, in the Chalk Hill sub-appellation, lends floral notes brought on by its long, cool fermentation in stainless steel. The Ritchie and BCD Vineyards, from the heart of the Russian River Valley, bring richness and balance, while the fruit from the Reuling, Hawk Hill and Windmill Vineyards lend power, nerve and elegance.

The 2006 Selection has a bouquet that incorporates spicy aromatics along with floral, toasted and tropical notes. On the palate, the richness of the sur lie aged wine is joined by the raciness and expressiveness of the stainless steel portion to bring balance and length. A wine to be enjoyed today, tomorrow and for several years to come.

^$30.00

De Loach Vineyards

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2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

Ambrosial scents greet you from the glass; ripe fruit flavors of Bartlett pear, Macintosh apple and Meyer lemon offer substantial counterpoints to beautifully suggestive French oak ...more components of cinnamon, nutmeg, and hazelnut. This mouthwatering wine shows a delightful complexity. The rich, creamy mid-palate is framed by a well-balanced acid tannin structure leading to a brilliant clean finish that leaves you wanting more.

^$16.00

De Loach Vineyards

CAW Rating: 94

100

1 reviews

2006 Golden Coast Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast

This full-bodied Chardonnay draws its structure and spice from grapes grown on carefully selected hillside vineyards in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast appellations. ...more

The cool Sonoma Coast microclimate contributes a spicy bouquet of citrus and ripe pear. This Chardonnay is highlighted by elegant buttery textures and flavors of golden delicious apples and marzipan almond past with lively mouthwatering flavors, crisp acidity and distinctive balance.

This wine is showing well now and will continue to gain complexity for 1-2 years. Try it as an elegant aperitif paired with hors d'oeuvres, or with almond-crusted chicken with arugula.

^$45.00

De Loach Vineyards

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2005 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

We are proud to offer you this single vineyard selection from the meticulously farmed Durell Vineyard, which has been under the care of renowned viticurist Steve Hill for over 30 y ...moreears. Extremely low yields and very concentrated, thickly textured wines are the hallmarks of this rocky site.

Our first release of the 2005 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay is opulent and multi-layered with aromas of toasted brioche, crÃ©me brulÃ©e, toasted buttered apples, and beeswax, which creates an exotic and intense bouquet. The palate is rich, full-bodied and creamy, with ripe lemon zest, and a hint of vanilla. Complex, rich and concentrated, the palate displays the harmony of intense components and an extraordinary finish.

Chandelle Winery

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2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay
Carneros

Grapes from Vina Del Sol, Sangiacomo, Yamakawa, Hi Vista and Alta Vista Vineyards in the Carneros of Sonoma Valley. Great Carneros flavors: delicious green apple, vanilla, pear and ...more subtle oak flavors. Buttery. Oak Barrel Fermented, aged 9 months in American Oak, sur lie.

^$25.00

Tulip Hill Winery

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2006 Tracy Hills Reserve Chardonnay
Mount Oso Vineyard

Our Chardonnay was fermented in Hungarian oak barrels for the sweet and delicate influences they impart. The gentle oak balances the lush tropical fruit adding complexity and fines ...morese. Aromas of banana, pear and vanilla bean are graced with a dash of nutmeg and clove. These flavors mingle with pineapple, Crenshaw melon and Fuji apples on a lovely soft texture. A breath of toasty oak rounds out the body, finishing with a clean citrus note. 540 Cases Produced

^$22.00

Pacific Star Winery

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2003 Chardonnay
Pamela's Vineyard, Mendocino County

Our chardonnay style is clean and crisp with the acidity to stand up to many luscious and saucy foods. Many tasters who visit our winery that do not normally like chardonnay...hav ...moree a change of heart. Oak is a component and is gently there on the palate without literally hitting you over the head with a 2X4. Besides our style of winemaking, the quality is in the well-cared for "Pamela's Vineyard" Ricetti vineyard grapes which we exclusively receive from good friends, Pamela and Tom.

^$24.00

Chateau Felice

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2005 Chardonnay "Acier"
Chalk Hill

No oak, no malolactic, just whole cluster pressed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Incredible aromas of honeysuckle, passion fruit, grapefruit and and ...more pippin apple. Crisp, clean and bright, it all culminates in a lengthy acid finish.

^$19.95

Chateau Felice

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2004 Chardonnay
Chalk Hill

The inviting golden color hints at its rich toasty vanilla aromas surrounded by Meyers lemon zest, flint, and rose geranium. Flavored with nectarine, lemon, papaya, sweet almond, a ...morend ripe pear, then giving way to a floral, lemon verbena finish with zesty acids and a soft hint of English toffee.

^$26.00

Brewer-Clifton

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2006 Rancho Santa Rosa Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills

This is the first of two offerings in this newsletter from the extreme Rancho Santa Rosa property owned by Bill Foley. This block, located at the upper elevation of the vineyard, i ...mores planted solely to clone 76 on a steep slope of limestone-rich soil which is unique for our area.

Bright aromas of lime, honeysuckle and sage followed by flavors of apricot, tangerine and minerals. Very precise with a drying, saline impacted texture.

1,440 bottles produced

Brewer-Clifton

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2006 Seasmoke Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills

We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the rare chardonnay from this prestigious vineyard that is planted predominantly to pinot noir. We have access to a ...morethree acre parcel from which we receive dijonnaise clones 76, 95 and 96. The block is in Metz loamy sand and is situated on a small mesa immediately above the Santa Ynez River.

Aromas of cherimoya, key lime and flint followed by flavors of white pepper, tapioca and dried green apple. Full bodied yet maintains tremendous precision.

5,184 bottles produced

Brewer-Clifton

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2006 Mount Carmel Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills

This release marks the second growing season of this illustrious site under our complete management . Originally planted in 1991 by Ron Piazza and Paul Albrecht, this monopole vine ...moreyard is now in the hands of our brilliant vineyard manager, Francisco Ramirez. Of the twenty two acre parcel, six are planted to Wente clone chardonnay on a steep, wind-beaten slope of botella clay and limestone.

Aromas of agave nectar, brie rind and papaya followed by flavors of citrus, ricotta cheese and brioche. Very noble and seamless on the palate.

3,456 bottles produced

Forchini Vineyards & Winery

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2006 Estate Chardonnay
Sonoma County

Barrel fermented in neutral French oak barrels. Malic acid preserved to give a fresh clean and crisp mid palate finish. Opens with subtle toasty nut, banana and apple aromas. Flavo ...morers of lemon, apple, pineapple and crisp fruit. This wine is typical of the lean flinty finishes from the villages of Chablis in northern Burgundy. Perfect pairing with seafood, poultry, and fancy cheese. Available for purchase only at the winery. A perfect pairing for holiday crab.

^$18.00

Handley Cellars

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2005 Chardonnay, Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley

With its beautiful pale golden color, this wine is pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate. Aromas of honeysuckle and ripe apples move to pear and apple flavors, with mineral ...moreaccents. As the vines in our Estate Vineyard have matured, they produce grapes with well-developed flavors at much lower sugar levels, allowing us to produce flavorful Chardonnay with less alcohol. Lower alcohol, along with its complexity, fruit, pleasant acidity, and use of a large percentage of neutral oak, are all characteristics that make our Estate Chardonnay a welcome change from heavier Chardonnays on the market. These characteristics also make it very food friendly, complementing delicate white-fleshed fish as well as pasta with white sauce.

^$20.00

Handley Cellars

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2005 Chardonnay
Dry Creek, Handley Vineyard

The 2005 Chardonnay is a nicely balanced wine. Its flavors mirror the refreshing bouquet of fresh oranges and pineapple, with a hint of spice. The fruitiness, texture, and good bal ...moreance of this wine allow it to hold up to foods with a bit of spice, like sushi or mild chicken molÃ©.

^$20.00

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Top Rated Chardonnay

2004 Carneros Chardonnay
Ã–dmann Vineyard

CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

Fresh sweet apple, honey rich mouthfeel

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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