2017 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Another great showing for this Chardonnay. There is a deft use of oak that is noticeable here, but well done and well within reason. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with lemon curd, vanilla and hint of grapefruit. With air a nice minerality emerges. Full bodied. On the palate, this is still young but drinking well. It improves in the glass showing lemon curd with slight vanilla and spice. Nice balance and structure. Long finish. This seems like it should easily do another decade or more. Great on its own, this will work well with duck, salmon or just a salad.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$60.00USD

Top Ten California Chardonnays - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2014 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$69.00USD

I had meant to open this with food, but we were starting to drink reds, and I wanted to open this earlier. And the food was still being prepared, so we drank this as a cocktail. It was very good that way, but luckily, there was a glass (or at least a few ounces left) to try with food. Even better. Light golden in color. The nose is nice with lemon cream and slight vanilla. It took a few minutes and then really picked up. On the palate, this is crisp with good acidity. Plenty of depth. Lemon cream and slight vanilla again. Good finish. This is young and probably could use more air

2014 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$60.00USD

This is still youthful but opens nicely in the glass and as we drank it. Light golden in color. The nose is very nice with lemon custard and nice minerality. Like most Rivers Marie Chardonnays, there is some oak showing but is used deftly and not at all a problem. On the palate, this is crisp and focused. Lemon cream and minerals. Long finish. This works quite well with food and also will work on its own. It won't get better but should easily cruise thru the next decade.

2016 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$75.00USD

This is drinking very well right now. Light golden in color. The nose has lemon cream, brioche and slight orange/citrus. Very nice. Also just a bit of baking spices. On the palate, this is full bodied. Still showing some oak that will integrate with further ageing. Delicious. Flavors of orange creamsicle and baking spices. Great energy and precision. Long finish. This worked well with a vegetarian lasagna in bechamel sauce but will work with most seafood or fowl dishes. it may yet improve a bit but should be great drinking for the next ten to fifteen years.

2015 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Light yellow in color. The nose is gorgeous with lemon cream notes. Slightly oily texture. Young but already showing a deep complexity. Lemon cream notes with an interesting slight mint note on the finish. There is some oak here, but it is integrated beautifully. This should age well for a decade, probably two. There is some upside potential.

2017 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

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2016 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

2015 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review