Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has become my favorite spot for Chardonnays from California.  And, Jamie Kutch and Trout Gulch Vineyard are a perfect match.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.   The nose is great with slight lemon, lemon cream, char, spice and a hint of grapefuit.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is delicious.  The lemon and lemon cream come thru with a touch of oak and minerality.  Long finish.  This is still young and will develop but is delicious now.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It will be perfect with Grilled Salmon.  

From a 500ml bottle (which is such a great size, especially for a white).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with vanilla, lemon cream, and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this has plenty of depth and complexity although it is young.  The vanilla and lemon cream come thru.  Long finish.  This may still improve as it develops.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work well with bigger foods.  Baked Salmon would be a nice choice.

From a 500ml bottle (which is a great size for a white wine) as part of their futures program.  Golden in color, a bit deeper in tone (oak?).  The nose  is classic Rhys, lemon curd, vanilla, slight citrus and spice.  Full bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lemon Cream, vanilla, and spice.  Dry.  Long finish.  This is wonderful on its own and went quite well with Garlic Hummus and assorted veggies.  Drink over the next ten years (in this format).  

This is the base Rhys Chard and while not quite at the level of the single vineyard releases, it is also not as expensive (yet very good).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with Lemon creme, slight granny smith apples, and salinity.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the lemon creme comes thru along with the green apples, and slight vanilla.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is delicious and drinking well.  It is great on its own and would work nicely with broiled Crab.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.

Great showing for this wine at age 14 (and not the best vintage).  Deeper golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose shows slight oxidation along with lemon creme, slight vanilla and minerality.  Full bodied.  Nicely balanced.  On the palate, this is layered and complex.  Still plenty of fruit but also some tertiary notes of dried fruits, earthiness and nuts.  Long finish.  This is mature and seemingly at peak or slightly past.  It begs for food and would go nicely with Fruit Salad but also scallops.  Drink up.