Chardonnay

This is a project from former baseball manager Tommy Lasorda.  I was a bit skeptical about it but this is good.  It retails for around $20 which makes this a great bargain in the world of California Chardonnay as well.  Pop and pour, it drank well although did improve for the first 30 minutes or so before plateauing until the bottle was emptied.   Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with grapefruit and slight vanilla.  Neutral oak barrels were used but there are some very pleasant oak remnants if light.  With air some green apples pop out as well.  On the palate, this has nice acid

This is a big Chardonnay that is not for everyone.  For those who like buttery, oaked Chardonnay, they will love this.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon curd, fresh cut lumber, butter and spice.  On the palate, there are some searing oak tannins to deal with.  Also some nice lemon fruit.  Good acidity.  This is probably not a great food match, but lots of people would love this on its own.  For my tastes, the oak is a bit too pronounced.  That said, a small glass was enjoyable.  

This is an inexpensive (around $6) Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some lemons and oak.  On the palate, this is simple but drinkable.  A bit of citrus.  Not much depth.  Works as an alcohol delivery system.  The key here is that for $6, this is drinkable.  

It can be hard to find a time to open these kinds of "orange" wines.  I love them but they are not for everyone.  This is a white blend of grapes that is fermented, on the skins in amphorae and then finished in barrels.  It has Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.  These kind of wines are best served at cellar temperature.  Golden brown in color.  The nose is oxidized but also has some apple cider, slight citrus and even a floral note.  If oxidized wines bother you, stay away.  I found the nose vibrant.  On the palate, this is also vibrant and full of energy.  Apple cider

This is a blend of Inzolia, Catarratto and Grecanico grapes along with some Chardonnay.  Silvery, green gold in color.  The nose is a bit mild with minerals and light pine notes.  Better on the palate.  Slight soapy (but not in a bad way) more like lanolin.  Then tart green apples come thru picking up intensity especially on the finish.  This is clean with very nice acidity.  A medium length finish.  Screw capped, this took a few minutes to open.  It was served at about 50F but really showed better once it warmed a bit.  Very refreshing wine and the tart apple acidity worked quite well with

I really enjoyed this wine.  A long time Napa standard, it had been a while since I had revisited it.  Light golden in color.  The nose has melons and red apples.  Very clean, little oak and no butter.  On the palate, this is crisp and refreshing.  Some apples, some melon with a nice mouthfeel.  Food friendly.  Under $30.  Really a nice value in Napa Chardonnay.  

Light golden in color.  The nose is great with a creamy lemon vanilla quality to it.  Maybe some peach as well as it warms.  On the palate, this has a lush creamy texture.  Lemons, vanilla, and with air some pineapple.  This is still young but has rounded out a bit.  Layers of depth with lemon and pineapple intertwined with a dry candied quality if that makes sense.  This seems like it will age quite well.  There is still some oak but it is almost seamless instead of over bearing.  Long finish.  Great wine.  

Light golden in color.  The nose has lemons, vanilla, fresh cut lumber, slight tropical fruits and butter.  On the palate, this has a fair amount of oak showing.  Perhaps with some age it sheds some of it.  There is plenty of lemon fruit and it is a bit buttery.  Decent acidity.  It presents a style of Napa Chardonnay that seems people either love or hate.  It is a well made wine and if you like a more buttery and oaked Chard, add a few points.  

Light gold in color.  The nose has lemon chiffon and vanilla and a bit of spice.  Wonderful mouth feel.  Creamy texture.  Lemon chiffon with some vanilla.  Good acidity.  Deep.  This drinks well now but should age for a decade or more depending on how you like older Chardonnays.  Delicious wine.  

Always an interesting experience venturing into the Jura.  Made by Ludwig "Lulu" Bindernagel.  75% Chardonnay, 25% Savagnin.  Light medium gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  Almost like a dry sherry that's not oxidized.  Almonds, slightly "fleshy" with a dried orange peel note.  On the palate, there is a nice slightly oily texture.  Some vanilla, minerals, almonds and bits of lemon.  Nice enough acidity.  Long finish.  Very different and hard to put into context.  I liked it and even more so as it warmed.