2014 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This has really improved in the last 6 months.  This has some oak on it which may be a question for some, but if you like this style, it is impressive.  Deep golden in color.  The nose has vanilla and lemon cream.  Slight fesh lumber.  On the palate, there is a lovely oily texture.  Very lemony with a bit of sawdust as well as vanilla.  Very nice acidity.  Worked just find with some cheeses.  Still on the young side and plenty of fruit to hold up as the oak integrates.  It is delicious right now.  

2013 Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill, USA, California, Sta. Rita Hills - Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

I love this bottling and vintage.  The oak treatment is perfect for the fruit.  Golden in color.  The nose is clean with peach and slight ginger.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, apples, peaches and just a bit sweetness.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  Great acidity.  Worked great with food but was delicious on its own.  Very impressive.  

2015 Woodwork Wines Chardonnay, USA, California, Central Coast - Wine Review

Score: 
83
Grade: 
B

Plenty of value here for under $10.  First, the label tells you this has a vanilla and butterscotch oak profile with apple and pear fruit notes.  Both of those are pretty spot on.  The wine is deep golden in color.  The nose is red apples, with vanilla and slight butterscotch.  On the palate, this is simple and to the point.  Plenty of oaky notes; vanilla and some butterscotch with a bit of apples.  This is made for easy drinking and at that price, just fine for casual drinking or at a party.  

2016 Chakana Chardonnay Estate Selection, Argentina

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Light gold in color with slight green.  On the nose, there is grapefruit and slight lumber.  Also some spice.  On the palate, there is a tart acidity which is very nice.  Grapefruit and citrus notes.  Long finish.  Really a quality Chardonnay for under $20, its hard to beat that value.  

2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis Premier Cru Les Forêts

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Gold in color.  A bit deeper, probably saw some new oak.  The nose is dusty with some lemon and spice.  On the palate, this is a very rich wine.  Very good, if to me, un-Chablis-like.  Lemon candy, almost sweet.  Round.  Enough acidity but no more.  Nice finish.

2012 Auteur Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Excellent wine.  Yellow green in color.  The nose has a nice vanilla cream quality to it.  Also some lemons.  On the palate, this is leaner with tart lemon acidity.  That said, it still has a strong presence.  Long finish.  Blind, I though CA but if it turned out to be Burgundy, I would not have been surprised.  

Sixty White Wines Recommendations for Autumn

Autumn is here and for most of us, that means shifting from the lighter summer rosés, whites and BBQ Reds into something that matches with heartier food or sitting by the fire on a chilly fall evening. At every party though there is someone who says they only drink white wine. Sometimes he or she means sweet, but often dry wines work too. Just like red wines, however, there are white wines that work great for the autumn season too.

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