Chardonnay

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (44%), Chardonnay (41%), Malvasia (10%), and Pinot Gris(5%).  The name comes from a proprietary clone of Sauvignon Blanc that Flora Springs utilizes in the Crossroads vineyard.   It is an interesting white that really needs some air when opening.  Silvery/green in color with pale yellow/gold.  On opening the oak is dominant and that did not work well.  Of course, this is just being released and that will cure itself.  In any event, patience is rewarded.  After about an hour of breathing the tropical fruit came out.  A slight bit of grassiness, in a good wa

This is the base Chardonnay from one of the best producers of Chardonnay in California.  It is really classic California in style, yet everything is in proportion and works.  It is a great example of how good an oaked Chardonnay can be and not be over oaked.  The winery uses no new oak, yet the barrels leave and impression as does just a hint of butter on the nose.  Golden in color.  The nose is so pretty with peaches, crème brûlée, a bit of buttered popcorn, and lemon peel.  On the palate, this is crisp with peach, lemon and slight vanilla.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Nice fini

This is a very nice mass produced Sauvignon Blanc from California.  Consistent from vintage to vintage and always an excellent value.  Another of those wines that it's easy for wine geeks to dismiss but there is real quality here.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows peaches, melons, vanilla and spice.  On the palate, the peaches continue.  Nice full bodied texture.  A bit of oak showing as vanilla and spice.  Moderate acidity but enough to work with food.  Nice finish.  This wine drinks well on its own and worked well with lighter salads.  

This is the best selling Chardonnay in America and has been for 25 years.  Almost three million cases are produced annually.  While it's ubiquitous, some times wine geeks are too easy to dismiss it.  This is an excellent value in Chardonnay.  Light golden in color with specks of green.  The nose has vanilla, apples and a bit of honey.  On the palate, this is ever so slightly ripe/sweet.  No bitterness.  Easy to drink with apples and honey coming thru.  Clean.  Moderate acidity.  Moderate finish.  It worked well with a variety of garden and fruit salads and was certainly drinkable on it own.

An inexpensive Chardonnay that is a pretty good value for the money.  Light golden in color.  The nose offers up some melon and tropical fruit and just a touch of spice.  On the palate, this has a bit of crispness.  The melon carries thru.  Creamy texture.  Slightly bitter/woody on the finish.  Worked well with assorted salads.  Drink now.  

My first time trying this and it was excellent.  Pop and pour and enjoyed with a shishito pepper dish that worked quite well.  Pale silvery/gold in color.  The nose has a salinity that is nice with minerals and slight green apples.  On the palate, this is not as austere as I had been led to believe.  In fact, it is very round and full bodied.  Nice apple fruit with underlying minerality.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious wine that is drinking well today but probably has a decade left.  It seems like it has the stuffing to mature and gain in complexity so probably still some upside.  

Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with lemons, slight vanilla, and a bit of grapefruit.  On the palate, this is nice but a bit more depth would be nice.  Decent acidity.  Some lemon and grapefruit.  Went well with a vegetarian pasta dish.  This cost $70 and that is the biggest thing.  Hard to justify that unless one lays it down the cellar.  But, with white Burgundies, that raises the risk of premature oxidation.  I am not sure what the answer is, but I find myself buying less White Burgundy.  That said, if you have this, it should be cellared for at least five more years.  

Always a top Chardonnay known for its richness, this does not disappoint.  Light golden/green in color.  The nose has tropical fruits, melon, and a bit of a vanilla/floral note.  Very pretty.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Enough acidity to make it lively.  Melons with a touch of butteryness.  Long finish.  It is a delicious wine and drinks well without food.  It will work with richer foods or even a lighter salad.  Drinking at peak right now, no hurry but probably should be consumed in the next five years.  

Chablis continues to be an excellent source or white Burgundy especially when considering the price and the premox issues.  While Chablis is not immune on either issue, it is a bit better on both.  This is a newer-ish producer making some great wines and reasonable pricing.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose is very nice with green apples and chalk.  Very clean.  On the palate, those flavors continue with a nice depth and complexity.  Very nice acidity.  Some grapefruit as well.  Long finish.  This will work great with salads and sea foods but also with fowl dishes.  It really does beg

Well, the label says they apply sustainable and holistic Grape growing and winemaking techniques to craft perfumed wines with sympathetic textures.  So, there's that.  In spite of that gibberish, I tried the wine and it's a good wine and a nice enough price point under $20.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows some sawdust and butter but also some nice grapefruit fruit.  Even a bit of a floral note.  On the palate, the oak is not so pronounced.  The grapefruit comes thru with a decent acidity.  Nice finish.  This will work nicely on its own or with some lighter foods.  Probably needs to