Chardonnay

From the VQA next to Niagara.  This is very good.  Light silvery/gold in color.  The nose has lemons, melons and slightly woody note which is presumably from the stems (whole clusters were added).  The winemaker described the woodiness as nutty, but that was probably because he was trying to impress that this wine saw no oak.  In any event, the nose is very nice.  On the palate, the melons (mostly Honey Dew, but also some cantaloupe-ish notes) come to the foreground.  Also some lemons and minerals.  Good acidity.  This is clean and full bodied but has an energetic edge to it.  Some of that

Green/gold in color.  The nose is dusty with vanilla and slight lumber and slight grapefruit.  A nice oily texture.  On the palate there is lemon and grapefruit notes.  It could use a bit more acidity to make it more food friendly.  A nice slight red apple note on the reasonably long finish.  There is a bit of a sweet note at the very end that is a bit sticky.  Probably should be drink in the next few years.  All said, though, this is really an excellent value for a $13 Chardonnay.  It is interesting and easy to drink at the same time.  You could certainly pay a lot more for a Chardonnay th

Verget is a very good producer in Burgundy.  They make some of the better values.  This is a lower level wine labeled under the Vin de France designation.  Deep golden in color.  The nose is more about minerals.  Also some lemon.  On the palate, this has a sweet tart quality to it.  Light tannins.  Light tannins.  Refreshing.  Verget is known for being a bit heavy handed with his use of oak.  None of that was an issue here.  This sells for around $10 a bottle is a really good value.  Great for a party or large crowd.  Food friendly.  Not a complex or amazing wine, but very solid and enjoyab

This is probably a bit past its prime and was being closed out for $9 a bottle.  At that price, some people will love this wine.  The key is they have to like oak.  Medium to deep golden in color.  The nose has noticeable fresh cut lumber along with nice lemon cream and vanilla.  The palate matches the nose though the fruit is not as strong.  It seems slightly out of balance at this point and it seems doubtful there is enough fruit to outlast the oak.  The finish is a bit clipped.  At $9, this is a good value and at least one person drinking it with me proclaimed ho much he loved oak filled

Beck sparkling wines are some of the best values in sparkling wines. This retails for around $17 and is a quality dry sparkling wine.  Light golden in color.  Lots of small bubbles.  The nose is all about the minerals with a dusty quality as well.  Ever so very slightly sweet on the palate.  Minerals and lemon oil.  Would go with a wide variety of foods.  Has some depth and complexity.  Really enjoyable.  

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with lemon cream and some minerals.  A bit buttery and slightly oaky.  On the palate, this is nice acidity.  Lemon with cream.  Decent balance.  Works well with food.  Slight depth and complexity; probably won't get better.  Good drinking right now.  A nice compromise for those who like buttery/oaky and those who don't.  

Another stunning Chardonnay from Rhys.  Light golden in color with some green hues.  The nose has a vanilla scented lemon chiffon that is distinctive for Rhys.  Gorgeous.  There is also an underlying mineral component.  It is understandable why so many compare this to Meursault.  On the palate, this is still young but almost seamless.  The vanilla/lemon chiffon carries thru as does the minerality.  Great balance.  This would work with a wide variety of foods.  Its tht texture though that keeps being so striking.  Long finish.  There is some upside on this depending on how you like Chardonna

Very classic Sonoma Chardonnay.  This sees 30% new oak, but there is a fair amount of oak showing.  Whether that is good or bad is a matter of personal taste.  Light golden in color with slight green hue.  The nose has nice lemons along with slight vanilla and nutmeg.  On the palate, the nose carries thru but also a bit of fresh cut timber.  Towards the mid-palate and finish, some tropical fruit notes emerge.  There is a lovely creamy softness to the texture.  Good depth.  Very nice acidity.  Still drinking youthfully, this should continue to develop and presumably for the oak to continue t

Light golden in color.  The nose is clean with lemon peel, and slightly herbal notes (in a good way).  This is lean but persistent.  Tart green apples on the palate had me thinking of Chablis.  Although this is tight, it seems more open, especially with air, than a prior bottle.  Long finish.  This still needs more time to develop.  Very crisp and worked well with food. 

Light gold green in color.  Great nose of lemon cream with integrated streaks of vanilla.  Slightly oily texture.  The lemon cream and vanilla carry thru.  Great acidity works in balance.  This is a big wine but so deft it handles the oak wonderfully.  Great with a wide variety of foods.  Plus, it is delicious.   One of my favorite Cal Chards.