Chardonnay

I am a huge fan of Ceritas, but sadly, this one was not up to the usual standards.  It was my first time trying this vineyard so perhaps that was it.  Light golden in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose has some minerality to it.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there isn't much going on.  Nothing bad, but just a bit of minerality.  A little bitter on the finish.  With air, some lemon came out.  Certainly drinkable and without an obvious fault.  Perhaps a victim of high expectations.  It probably is best to drink with food.  Perhaps a grilled chicken sandwich would work well.  Drink over the

One of my favorite producers of Sonoma Chardonnay, this is their base wine.  It may be a step behind the single vineyard offerings, but it is still outstanding.  Light golden/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  They do use noticeable oak.  There is a nice lemon curd, along with a bit of vanilla and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is crisp with lemons, minerals and spice.  Nice finish.  Obviously young, this drinks great now but will continue to mature.  It should drink well for the next ten years.  Great on its own, this will work well with salmon or chicken dis

Drinking very nicely at this time.  Deep golden in color with a slight green hue.  The nose is tight but shows apples, pears and minerals along with just a touch of oxidation.  On the palate, this has slight tannins.  Tart apples with slightly bitter lemons (not in a bad way).  Good acidity although the wine comes off more rich/fat than lean/mean.  Nice finish.  This seems fully mature and these probably should be consumed in the next five to seven years.  

My favorite Champagne, but it has gotten so pricey, that opportunities to have any a few and far between.  100% Chardonnay.

Another from this top producer of Chardonnay.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with lemon curd, slight pineapple and minerality.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is crisp and energetic.  The lemon curd comes thru but also some lemon candy with underlying minerality.  Long finish.  This is delicious but also the kind of wine that makes one take notice.  Still young with a great vibrancy, this easily should continue maturing for the next dozer or so years.  Great on its own, this will work well with lighter foods and even heavier sea food or fowl dishes

Golden in color, clear.  The nose has lemons and slight apple cider.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the apple cider notes are stronger.  Nice texture.  Some acid.  Mature if a bit past.  These should be consumed sooner than later.  It will work better with some lighter but rich foods.  Crab or lobster would work.

From a grower producer in the village of  Chouilly. This is packaged in an attractive squat bottle.  It is 100% Chardonnay.  Silvery gold in color with a slight copper hue.  Lots of tiny bubbles.  The nose has seltzer, brioche and smoke.  On the palate, pears come out and a slight hint of lime.  There is a gravely base to it.  It does seem to have just the slightest bit of sweetness to it.  A long finish.  This is drinking great now and should continue for another five to seven years.  After that it should mature well for another decade for those who like that style.  It will work with just

This is a new Sonoma winery making high end wines.  Philippe Melka is the winemaker with the project managed by James MacPhail.  The Chardonnay is very nice in a middle ground between say Sonoma and Chablis.  Green-gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with air.  Notes of lemon and lemon candy and some flinty notes.  Clean.  On the palate, the lemons notes continue.  Some minerality/flint.  More open on the palate.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to do so for another seven to ten years.  It will work well with shell fish and on its

Another excellent wine at a fair price from this established Napa winery.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pineapple, slight lemons, vanilla, baking spice and toasted oak.  Full bodied with a creamy texture.  On the palate, this is big and bold and delicious.  Pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, and burnt wood.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and will stand up to a burger or ribs nicely.  Also, roasted vegetables.  Drink over the next three to five years.