2021 1000 Stories Chardonnay American Barrel Aged, USA, California, Wine Review

Although this winery produces reds aged in Bourbon Barrels, this wine is aged in American Oak barrels (for six months) but it does not appear that this wine in particular is aged in re-used Bourbon barrels. 14.5% abv. Gold/copper/slight silver in color, clear and bright. The nose has slight grapefruit, coconut, and slight spice. Also a touch of char. Full bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, apple and grapefruit notes. Moderate finish. This is a relatively inexpensive Chardonnay that drinks well on its own. It will work with lighter foods or sea food. It would be nice with Chicken salad. Drink over the next couple of years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2021

Current Price:

$19.00USD

Napa Valley Chardonnay: Foods to Pair With, and Meals that Call for, Napa Chardonnay

Chardonnay—a chameleon of a grape. There are an especially large number of choices to be made in terms of winemaking when it comes to Chardonnay. It can be still or sparkling. It can be aged in oak or un-oaked, filtered or unfiltered, subject to malolactic fermentation or not. Even the type of oak used, or the decision to keep the wine in contact with dead yeast cells during the winemaking process affects the style of the final product. These factors (not to mention the concept of terroir) result in endless Chardonnay styles that can range from Burgundy’s crisp, austere, mineral-driven wines to Australia’s tropical fruit-packed, viscous style.

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Best Napa Chardonnay (For the Money)

IntoWine.com asked a panel of wine experts for their recommendation for the best Napa Chardonnay (for the money): California Chardonnay has entered a new golden era, and there are terrific, cooler climate examples available from all over the State. These great new Chards tend to be balanced, with minerality and strong acidity, as well as less obtrusive new oak than was the trademark of California Chardonnay even five years ago. Napa does not have a particularly cool climate, so the wines from this region tend to have more ripe, tropical fruit characteristics, and more richness, as well as more of a creamy mouth feel, thanks in large part to the new oak typically used for fermentation and aging. Nonetheless, for those who like the rich, tropical fruit style of Chardonnay, there are some great examples from Napa that are relative values. My top pick for the money is the Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay, with the current release going for a relatively reasonable average of $35. Here I get more lemon and lemon cream than super-ripe tropical fruit, but with solid weight and creamy texture. Also quite good but considerably pricier, at about $50, is the Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay, made by sought after Napa winemaking consultant Mark Herold. - Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com

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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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2018 Harken Chardonnay Barrel Fermented, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$15.00USD

At a recent tasting of multiple Chardonnays, this was the crowd favorite and most were priced well above this one. It retails for around $15, but can be found for as low as $10. The back label says it is a throwback to the oaked and buttery Chardonnays of the past. Perhaps, but most people seemed to find just a hint of those qualities and that was a good thing. It was different than what the crowd described as over oaked and too buttery. While the crowd may have liked it more than I, it is a very nice wine and a great value and quite enjoyable. The color is light gold, hay and slight

2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Karia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$28.00USD

At a recent blind tasting of Napa Chardonnay's, it turned out that there were two identical bottles submitted and served blind. Always an interesting experiment as such factors as storage and even the tasting order can affect the results. As it turned out, bottle #1 was the first served while bottle #2 was the last one served.

2021 1000 Stories Chardonnay American Barrel Aged, USA, California, Wine Review

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2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Karia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review