Chardonnay

Yowza.  This is certainly a step up from the 2000 P2 and the regular 2002 version of this wine.  The P2 signifies that is saw about another 8 years of bottle ageing (under cork) before its final dosage.  The dosage is also less sugar than the regular version.  Just a stunning and youthful wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great.  It has this quality not too unlike homemade pie dough.  Not yeasty but doughy.  Also some tart lemons and minerals.  On the palate, this has a lemon candy quality with minerals underneath.  Tart lemons on the finish.  This is persistent and lengthy and see

This winery is fast becoming one of my favorites for Chardonnay and Santa Crus is definitely my favorite region in the world for Chardonnay.  That is a pretty bold statement but there it is.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemons, lemon candy, minerals and slight vanilla.  On the palate, this is ever so slightly sweet/ripe with lemons and great minerality.  It has such great energy and cut.  It glides down the palate, and lasts forever.  Delicious.  Complex.  This is obviously young but seems like it should be a twenty year wine.  It drinks great on its own but will work well with sea

This is a reasonably priced Sparkling Rosé from California (prior versions carried a Napa designation).  It is non-vintage.  Off the top, it is nice that it is the same price as the white version.  It makes no sense that so many sparkling wines charge a premium for a Rosé.  The packaging is quite nice. It is a blend of 65 percent Chardonnay and 35 percent Pinot Noir. The wine is light golden in color.  Not that color is critical, but everyone tasting this commented that it had, maybe, just the slightest shade of pink.  Maybe not.  I called it light gold.  Nevertheless, it has a nice mousse

This come sin attractive packaging.  It carries a California designation for this release.  There does not appear to be a vintage designation either.  It is the current release.  It is quite good and an excellent value for $20.  Made from 100% Chardonnay (which is what Blanc de Blanc designates).  Light golden in color with some green hues.  A nice head with lots of smaller bubbles.  The nose is elegant with lanolin, limes and a mineral base.  On the palate, this starts with a nice tartness; mostly lemons.  The mid-palate goes more of a lemon hard candy route which intensifies on the back e

Franciacorta's are serious sparkling wines from Italy.  They are not to be confused with Prosecco's or some of the other lighter sparkling wines that are very popular these days.  The best Franciacorta's hold their own against sparkling wines made anywhere in the world.  Light golden in color.  There are a log of tiny bubbles.  The nose has toast, lemon and slight lanolin.  On the palate, this is slightly crisp.  Full bodied.  Nice, persistent lemon/lime notes.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with all but the meatiest of dishes.  It should probably be consumed in th

Ohio used to be one of the top winemaking spots in the US.  While it no longer has the reputation it once had, there are some very good wines being made in Ohio.  This is especially true for the whites and the dessert wines.  Chardonnay, however, is not typically one of the more successful whites, but this is one of the best!  Light golden/green in color.  The nose is nice with melons, vanilla and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a creamy texture.  Light acidity.  The melons and vanilla come thru along with some tropical fruit.  Very refreshing and better if served cold to bring out m

This is a modern style of Chardonnay from the center of Israel.  It is 90% Chardonnay with 10% Sauvignon Blanc added.  This is a very nice white with energy and some verve to it.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemons and minerals.  Slight oak but no butter.  On the palate, this is clean with nice minerality and slight lemon/citrus.  Good length.  It is drinking well now and probably should be drunk up in the next year.  It will go well with lighter foods, salads and sea foods.  

This is a fairly priced Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast.  Msrp is $25 but can often be found for less.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with vanilla, slight lemons and baking spice.  Creamy texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, the vanilla and slight lemons come thru.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own.  It will work well with heavier sea foods, pasta or fowl.  Drink over the next few years.  

Light golden in color.  The nose has pears, yeast, and baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the pears come thru with underlying toast.  Nice mouthfeel.  A bit warm.  Long finish.  This is very nice with oak showing but not overwhelming.  It will work with seafoods or fowl.  Drink over the next few years. 

For those who like a buttery, plenty of oak style California Chardonnay, this is a great option.  It can sometimes be found for less than $20!  Green gold in color.  The nose has fresh lumber, slight vanilla, butter and slight lemons.  On the palate, the lemon, oak and vanilla carry thru.  Nice texture.  Persistent oak on the finish.  It will be kind of wine that is divisive; love or not.  More for sipping on its own though it will work with roasted fowl quite well.  I admit this is not my personal favorite style, so your mileage may vary.