BURGUNDY | FRANCE | $18
Mostly vertical fruit flavors of kumquat, nectarine and lemon with grassy and floral notes, limestone minerals and barely present oak adding horizontal range and complexity. Light, crisp, clean with a nice, slight acidity. A barefoot stroll through a country garden. Chardonnay. A good wine. (Reviewed 9/8/12)
Filed under $20 and less, Chardonnay, France
SANTA RITA HILLS | CALIFORNIA | $35
Tropical fruit and camphor on the nose yield to nectarine, guava and pear with bright stone minerals and an oaky structure. Complex and well integrated with a slightly laden mouth feel, a pleasant acidic pop and a long finish. There’s some of that classic California oaked Chardonnay vibe here, but this one carries it off exceptionally well. It’s that classic rock act whose music never sounds dated. A very good wine. (Reviewed 8/19/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Chardonnay
SANTA RITA HILLS | CALIFORNIA | $35
Guava, kumquat and persimmon with stone minerals, vanilla and a hint of green wood. Complex and lively on the palate producing a long and pleasant finish. The guest who lingers long after others have gone, and your delighted she stays — the conversation, so natural, so easy, stimulates to the wee hours. A very good wine. (Reviewed 5/27/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Chardonnay
SONOMA COUNTY | CALIFORNIA | $30
Crisp young pear fruit with notes of white peach, stone minerals, honeysuckle and lemongrass. Refreshing with a present, but easy, natural fruit acidity and a luxurious viscous mouth feel. There is allure here — your eyes meet and they lock, with every glance away, and then back, pulling you yet again closer…. Ah, but this is merely a wine, a very good wine. (Reviewed 5/1/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Chardonnay
SANTA MARIA VALLEY | CALIFORNIA | $35
Green apple with pineapple, guava, pear and a little lime supported with stone minerals, a hint of oak plus plenty of bright acidity. Light on the palate yet full of flavor. Step away if you favor an oak forest in your Chardonnay; this isn’t it. Rather, it’s crisp and refreshing. A very good wine. (Reviewed 4/7/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Chardonnay
WASHINGTON STATE | $10
Crisp green apple with notes of lemongrass, grapefruit and young honeydew. Vibrant minerals and acidity make this a refreshing slap on the palate. Chardonnay, unoaked. A good wine and great value. (Reviewed 3/24/12)
Filed under $20 and less, Chardonnay, Washington State
BURGUNDY | FRANCE | $24
Medium-bodied white Burgundy showing pineapple, white peach and pear fruit with oak, minerals, plus hints of vanilla and lemon grass. Easily accessible, reasonably balanced with moderate acidity. The flavors are complex flavors but the wine as a whole is fairly straightforward — a nice paradox. Chardonnay. A good wine. (Reviewed 4/19/11)
Filed under $21 to $50, Chardonnay, France
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY | CALIFORNIA |$40
Oak. Lots of it. Behind that, guava, mango, citrus, almonds, honeysuckle fresh herbs and stone minerals come through. Complex flavors, indeed, but the story here is oak. A big wine with a viscous, weighty mouth feel. A very good wine, provided you like oaky Chardonnay. Did I mention it has some oak? (Reviewed 7/4/11)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Chardonnay
NAPA VALLEY | CALIFORNIA | $20
Guava, mango and pear fruit with faint herbal notes and wet stone minerality. Heavy, dense mouth feel and a slight sweetness, almost syrupy. Refreshing and simple; perfectly fine but not a stand-out. A competent supporting actor, but unremarkable. A good wine. (reviewed 10/10/11)
Filed under $20 and less, California, Chardonnay
