2018 The Withers Winery Chardonnay Peters Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a new winery for me to try.  Golden in color.  The nose shows vanilla with peaches.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Some peach and grapefruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Overall, a very pleasant Chardonnay.  It drinks well on its own now and will work with lighter fare.  Drink this over the next five to seven years.  

2013 Flowers Chardonnay Camp Meeting Ridge, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is starting to show some age.  For me, that is a great thing, but others mileage may vary.  There is also a fair amount of oak present, so oakaphobes, be warned.  Green/golden in color.  The nose has lots of fresh cut timber, some spice, grapefruit and lemon cream.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Lush texture but enough cut to keep it lively.  Lots of lemons and lemon peel.  Long finish.  This showed better on night 2 with a bit more air to round things out.  It is drinking well now and should conitnue to drink well for another seven to ten years depending how you like older wine

2018 Kutch Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Another quality wine from Jamie Kutch.  For the quality, this is a very good value.  Obviously very young, this showed better on day 2 although it was outstanding right on opening.  Green gold in color.  The nose has slight vanilla and lemons.  A bit of baking spices.  On the palate, this has a lemonade quality on day 1 and comes off as slightly sweet.  It all comes more into focus with air on day 2 showing dry with more depth.  Lemons and minerals.  A lovely texture.  Long finish.  This will need some time until peak, say three to five years and then should drink well for another ten to tw

2016 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is drinking very well right now.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon cream, brioche and slight orange/citrus.  Very nice.  Also just a bit of baking spices.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Still showing some oak that will integrate with further ageing.  Delicious.  Flavors of orange creamsicle and baking spices.  Great energy and precision.  Long finish.  This worked well with a vegetarian lasagna in bechamel sauce but will work with most seafood or fowl dishes.  it may yet improve a bit but should be great drinking for the next ten to fifteen years.  

2016 Gundlach Bundschu Gewürztraminer Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

An interesting take of Gewurtz.  Very different from the Alsatian counterparts.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has no lychee at all which is fine just a bit surprising.  It does have a floral quality to it, along with ginger and a strong mineral base.  Very nice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  It is dry as a bone.  The minerality comes thru along with a granny smith apple note and a bit of orange peel.  Clean finish with no bitterness.  Overall, it is a very nice wine that worked excellently with a butternut squash soup.  It probably should be consumed in the n

2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Griffin's Lair, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$43.00USD

This is drinking quite well now.  A great example of a cooler climate Syrah from California.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Boysenberry fruit with char underneath and a slightly meaty taste.  Medium to full bodied.  A wisp of tannins.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This is great with roasted veggies (and would be with meat or fowl) and would also work with Indian food.  No hurry, this should be good for another seen to ten years.  

2015 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This did not seem like a proper bottle.  It was quite advanced for its age.  Most likely a cork issue? Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a slight oxidized note to it.  Also, butterscotch and vanilla.  No fruit on the nose.  On the palate, it is a bit cleaner with some lemon and some vanilla.  Clipped on the finish.  A shame as this should have been a bit fresher but it happens.  Drinkable depending on your aversion (or not) to oxidized wines.  I ten to not have as much an issue as most.  If I had to score it, maybe an 83?

2017 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Opened later in the night after a bunch of red wines, this really seemed fresh and lively.  It worked out great.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon chiffon with nice minerality.  Just a touch of vanilla.  Full bodied.  Crisp.  Delicious.  The lemon carries thru over a mineral bed.  Great on its own, this will work well with seafood, salads and certainly on its own.  It is very young now and worth drinking that way, but this should easily go another ten years and probably more as it matures.  

2017 Roots Run Deep Winery Chardonnay Educated Guess, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a fairly priced Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast.  Msrp is $25 but can often be found for less.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with vanilla, slight lemons and baking spice.  Creamy texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, the vanilla and slight lemons come thru.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own.  It will work well with heavier sea foods, pasta or fowl.  Drink over the next few years.  

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