Tag Archives: chardonnay

Valley Gate Vineyards Chardonnay Versada Vineyards 2010

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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I tasted this wine before, in July and really did not get to grips with it.  I vowed to wait until re-tasting before I wrote about it.

Honey yellow in the glass it immediately gave up some citrus and pineapple on the nose.  Beautiful mouthfeel with vanilla, butterscotch, lemons and pineapple come through again on the mid palate.  Sharp acidity is making my mouth pucker slightly and the finish is long on this one.  I am really enjoying this wine and think it would absolutely rock a Salmon with dill butter and boiled new potatoes.  The balance is correct and the wine rocks.  I have a few more in cellar and will drink them sparingly for the next 4 years.  Rather pricy at $40 but a terrific Napa Chardonnay.  When compared to equivalent white Burgundy- a veritable steal for this 90 point wine.  I reckon 4 stars and if you like Chard, give it a go.  Salut….

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Columbia Crest H3 Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills 2008

04 Monday Nov 2013

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An extremely interesting flavor from this Chardonnay that had me bewildered.  I finally figured it out, after the fact.  Quince.

A nice yellowish hue in the glass gives way to a nose full of apple, pear and a touch of oak.  On the palate is where the action happened for me.  The quince was predominant, with apple and citrus in the background.  Crisp acidity and a generous mouthfeel made this an enjoyable wine.  It was brought on the trip by a friend (who we shall name Big Horn) and I will endeavor to find it back at home, I would like a re-taste.  I see this going great with a Nicoise salad, perhaps a cold poached salmon dish with dill.  A quick perusal on the web tells me it can be had for about $13.  4 stars and 88 points from me.  This winery is consistent, they make tons of really good wine with great pricing to boot.  This particular wine was indeed a different Chard that needs to be tried.  Salut….

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San Elias Chardonnay 2010

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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Chardonnay and Thai food, it works well!  This particular bottle was the only white available at our local Thai joint, so we thought we would give it a try after filling up on Singha beer and curry.  Golden yellow in the glass, the nose was buttery with some hints of lemon.  Very oaky, but not gross, it hit the right notes with me.  The lemon I sensed earlier was there on the palate, but slightly sweeter.  Strange to be describing it this way, but it lacked the acidity normally found in whites, yet it didn’t bother me.  For once I was happy with an inexpensive, over-oaked chardonnay that I simply enjoyed.  It was very easy to drink, and had been chilled to the right temperature.  Albeit not a great wine, I think it deserves 85 points, but for me it was a 4 star wine.  I would most definitely buy this again and drink it with any spicy dishes, or as an aperitif.  Planning a party this summer, buy this one by the case.

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Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse 2010

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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Always a charmer, this Burgundian Chardonnay has been a regular in my fridge for many years.  Moxie, the wife, is not a big drinker.  If and when, it is always white, usually Chardonnay and Burgundy being preferred.  So, when we hosted a party for dad’s birthday, I made sure there was some of this stuff on hand.  It’s an easy drinker that offers charm and charisma without breaking the bank.  Lemon and apple come across the nose, with some classic Chardonnay wet stone and citrus on the palate.  Excellent balance with the acidity and use of oak lead to a nice mouthfeel.  I could slurp this stuff on the patio, or pair it nicely with some fresh fish. A very reliable wine that is neither bland nor overdone.  Bang for the buck- a 4 star effort worthy of 88 points.

Keller Estates Chardonnay ’07

28 Friday Oct 2011

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Picked up a case of this a while back and never got around to rating it.  One thing I have noticed about every bottle I have opened is the amount of crystallized Tartrates in the bottle.  What the heck are those you ask?  The crystals form when the tartaric acid in wine combines with potassium under cold temperature conditions forming potassium bitartrate. It’s basically Cream of Tartar used in cooking or baking.   It doesn’t look pleasant, nor does it taste very nice, better to decant the wine if you see some in the bottle.

I wondered how this was possible as the wine was not cheap, I suspected some very cold storage or transportation issues.  Either way, it won’t hurt you and is actually proof that the winery has not “cold stabilized”, filtered or messed with the wine too much- this is a good thing.

So, back to the vino itself- pretty good stuff.  Made in a more restrained style, it shows good California fruit, balance and the ever-important acidity.  The use of oak is very gentle here, not chewing on a wood stick, no butter, just straight forward quality of the Chardonnay grapes.  The pro’s gave it 89, I am adding my two cents with a 3 star review.  Would I buy it again?  Perhaps, if on sale. 

Oriel “Dylan” ’06

21 Friday Oct 2011

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Not a huge white wino, the occasional chardonnay hits me just right.  It was the summer and the folks were around for dinner.  They like the white, (mum is not so keen on Chardonnay though).  I can’t remember what was on the grill that night, but I do remember the reaction to this wine.  2006 Russian River Chardonnay best described as smooth, balanced, fruity, yet not over-oaked.  Too many wineries insist on slapping the wood to everything they get their hands on, producing the same old buttery junk as the next guy.  Oriel, having good fruit, have made a very good QPR wine here, good thing I got a dozen!  I would think of it as a 3.5 star white, and if I could guess, the boys in the know would shoot it an 86 point rating.  I asked mum what she thought before telling her it was a Chard, she said “Yummy”.  Kudos to Oriel.oriel chardonnay