Chardonnay

Tasted from Magnum.  Great showing.  In the world of semi-affordable Champagne, this is one of the top Rose's.  Ruby/copper in color, clear and bright.  A steady steam of tiny bubbles form a pretty mousse.  The nose has strawberries, slight orange peel and just a hint of currants.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  Fresh and clean.  On the palate, the red currants really come out along with a bit of red raspberries.  Nice finish.  This drinks easily and served as a wonderful prelude to a long dinner, both stimulating the palate and working well with Potato Pave.  Drink over the next few years

This is a big, California Chardonnay in the best sense.  It is a blend of four different vineyards of Chardonnay.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big and enticing with Lemons, vanilla and nutmeg.  Full bodied with a creamy texture.  Good acidity.  Slightly oily.  On the palate, this has lemons, slight lemon peel and an interesting note of mint on the finish.  It is deep with tight complexity that unwinds in the glass.  A very long finish.  This may improve over the next year or two but either way should make great drinking for the next ten years.  It drinks great on i

This is another quality value from this Argentinian producer.  Made from a blend of organic grapes, it is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.  The Charmat method is utilized meaning that the bubbles are trapped in stainless steel tanks versus in the bottle.  While that does not have the tradition or "romance" of the Methode Champenois, to does allow for high quality wines at much more reasonable pricing.  And, this bottle is proof.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The wine is frothy on opening with lots of small bubbles.  On the nose, there are lemons, lemon peel, and minerals.  Good aci

There are lots of reviews for Maybach Cabs on this site, but not as many for other varietals so it was nice to get a chance to enjoy this Chardonnay.  At age 5, this is still young, but showing a bit of maturity and very enjoyable.  Golden in color with slight green hues, clear and bright.  On the nose, this is a big wine.  Lots of red apples, some grapefruit, with lots of vanilla and oak and some floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great, viscous texture.  Flavors of lemons, lemon candy and baking spice.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  If you like oak, this is your wine, b

Green gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight grapefruits and baking spices.  Light bodied.  Thin.  On the palate, slight grapefruits with no oak showing.  Clean.  Refreshing.  A bit clipped on the finish.  This is solid with no faults but not particularly exciting.  However, an RRV Chardonnay at this price point is rare.  It drinks better on its own.  Drink over the next year.  

This is a newer wine from Rhys.  It has some similarities to the Rhys style, but it should take a few vintages for Kevin Harvey to zero in on what he is looking for.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemons and vanilla along with spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is young, but drinking well.  Lemons and vanilla comes thru.  At this stage, it will be a difficult food match but as it ages it should go nice with salmon or other "steak" fish.  Drink over the next ten years.  

The Daou brothers have really added to the wine reputation in Paso Robles.  The make mostly Bordeaux varietals at all price points.  This is there inexpensive Chardonnay and it is an excellent value.  Silvery/green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has yellow grapefruits and smoke.  A nice oily texture.  On the palate, lemons, quince and smoke.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks easy and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at parties.  Drink over the next couple years.  Nice on its own, it will work well with lighter foods or seafood.  

Named after "Greta" a "famous" wild pig in the southeast of France.  This is an easy to drink white wine that provides some value.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is smoky and fruity (sort of like fruit flavored gum).  There is nice acidity and a nice texture.  On the palate, not as much generic fruitiness but it is refreshing.  A hint of bitter almond on the finish.  For the price, this would be a fine choice for a party.  It would work with lighter foods or on its own.  Drink now.  

Yes, it is just a Bourgogne, but it is Leroy, and she makes some of the best Bourgogne Blancs.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  This has a great nose with Vanilla and Fuji apples.  Slight smoke.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is rich with nice minerality.  Lemony notes.  Long finish.  This got better with air.  This should drink well for the next decade at least.  It will work on its own and will be great with sea food.  

Nice to revisit this (last tasted in 2017) as it showed good if not up to expectations.  This was a much better showing for whatever reason.  Pale golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with lemons and bigger than expected.  On the palate, this has medium body with good acidity.  Lemons and lemon cream.  Nice minerality.  A long finish.  This is drinking well if fully mature.  It should continue to drink well for another eight to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own and would work well with grilled trout or other fish.