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Keller Estate
2006 La Cruz Vineyard Chardonnay
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At Keller Estate, they have three
different vineyard sections (known as
“blocks”) planted to Chardonnay. Block
5, planted with clone 4 in 1989, is the
oldest vineyard on the ranch. This block
provides structure and bracing acidity,
along with ripe apple and pear flavors.
Block 6 was planted in 1998 to the Wente
clone, widely known for its floral,
aromatic qualities. The Wente and Robert
Young clones were selected for this
vintage, the Robert Young clone adding a
rich, broad texture to the wine. Crafted
in a classic, Rich style, the Keller
Estate 2006 La Cruz Vineyard Chardonnay
is a reflection of the estate’s terroir
and artisan winemaking style. Plush
fruit flavors mingle with a crisp,
bright acidity to create a beautifully
textured wine defined by a creamy
viscosity. Toasty caramel and vanilla
flavors are achieved through barrel
fermentation and oak aging. |
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Price $30 |
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Truchard
Chardonnay 2007
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Chardonnay is located throughout the
southern part of the Truchard Estate
Vineyard. The vines range from 11 - 33
years old and benefit from the various
marine soils, gently sloped terrain, and
cooler temperatures - conditions that
make the Carneros region ideal for
growing Chardonnay. They produce
aromatic wines with tropical fruit
characteristics and a unique spicy
element. The 2007 Truchard Chardonnay
features a floral nose with tropical
fruit, Meyer lemon, and pineapple;
combined with fig, vanilla, and spice.
The mouth is filled with intense flavors
of wildflower honey, green apple, and
fresh pear. Firm acidity provides a
bright finish of citrus, mineral, and
toasted oak. Great with a seafood salad! |
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Price $36 |
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Chehalem "Inox"
Chardonnay 2007
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Chehalem "Inox" Chardonnay 2007 is a
standout dry white wine that shows the
virtues of living an oak-free (wine)
life. It is one of the best Chardonnays
to emerge from Oregon in recent years. A
platinum, brilliant wine that
immediately shares a profusion of floral
aromas and bright fruit, especially
pear, green apple, honeydew melon,
tangerine, peach, apricot, Meyer lemon,
and even kiwi and pineapple. Spice and
other aromatic accents include
confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean, and
ginger. There is a knife-edged
brightness and minerality due to
incredibly snappy acidity, making it
tartly succulent and mouthwatering.
Although high in acid, low in alcohol
(13.4%), and bone dry (at less than .25%
sugar), this has great weight and
near-perfect balance. |
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Price $21 |
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Raymond Winery R
Collection Chardonnay 2006
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The 2006 R Collection Chardonnay opens
with pineapple, lemon, lime, pear and
apple aromas followed by notes of
honeysuckle, orange zest and toasted
almond. Bright fruit flavors of
pineapple, lemon and lime resonate on
the palate with green apple, pear and
vanilla on the finish. A rich mouth feel
with light oak influence, this wine has
nicely balanced acidity and a smooth
finish. This is a food friendly wine
that pairs well with a wide variety of
fish and poultry as well as fettuccini
Alfredo with grilled prawns, seared
scallops, steamed crab and lighter soups
and salads. Delicious served with Thai
and Vietnamese dishes like spicy yellow
curry, Pad Thai, fresh spring rolls and
pork pot stickers. |
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Price $17 |
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Mischief and
Mayhem Bourgogne Blanc, Chardonnay 2005
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The Mischief and Mayhem Bourgogne Blanc,
Chardonnay 2005 is pale straw in color
with a touch of gold. Beautifully clean,
pure, with a mid-intensity nose of ripe
melon, lemon zest, white peach, lychee
and honeycomb, and traces of baked apple
and shortbread. There is a lovely
freshness in the mouth and excellent
cleansing acidity with notes of pear,
apple and lime with a beautiful soft,
creamy finish. Excellent.
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Price $35 |
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Marimar Estate Chardonnay, Don Miguel Vineyard 2006
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Marimar Torres has been involved in the
wine industry all her life. Her estate
includes two vineyards, the Don Miguel,
named for her father, and the Dona
Margarita, named for her mother. The
Marimar Estate 2006 Chardonnay, Don
Miguel Vineyard is just wonderful,
displaying subtle floral aromas of
jasmine and honeysuckle, with some
pineapple and tropical notes, with
overtones of Meyer lemon. The acidity is
bright and crisp, while the mouthfeel is
creamy and complex. A note of hazelnut
and spice harmonizes well with the
toasty oak and lengthens the elegant
finish.
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Price $39 |
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Fort Ross Vineyards Chardonnay, True Sonoma Coast 2006
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Nestled on a sunny coastal ridge, overlooking the Pacific Ocean a mile
below, Fort Ross Vineyard’s “True
Sonoma Coast” vineyard is one of the closest, if not the
closest, to the ocean in all of California. From the vineyard you can
see the breaking surf and the misty silhouettes of Bodega Head and Pt.
Reyes far below. The vineyard’s high elevation above the coastal fog and
its proximity to the ocean provide a gentle, sunny and temperate climate
that has proved to be very favorable for the slow and even ripening of
Burgundian varietals. Their 2006 Chardonnay reflects a more Burgundian sensibility with
generous aromas of crisp kaffir lime leaves, sun ripened apricots and
fragrant honeysuckle blossoms framed by hints of citrus. This is truly
an outstanding Chardonnay, made in the style I love!
The complex palate of full and succulent fruit, including melon
and lemon curd, is buttressed by a savory acidity and the cool coastal
vineyard’s signature minerality. The focused finish expresses fine
symmetry with a nuanced echo of oak and a dash of hazelnut that carries
through the elegantly smooth finale.
1900 cases produced.
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Price $36 |
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Flowers Chardonnay 2007
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The Flowers wines were all amazing, and although the
Pinots are sold out, the 2007 Chardonnay was fantastic!
This wine is a blend of several Sonoma Coast vineyards, including
Camp Meeting Ridge; a blend of Dijon clones (95 and 76), mature
vine clone 4, and the low-yielding "Old Wente" selection.
Enjoy the balanced depth and complexity, light straw to golden
color, and aromas unfolding with layers of lemon, pear, apricot and wet
stone minerality. This vintage shows crispness on the palate, with a
lush and balanced citrus finish. Showing very well now and will continue
to gain complexity for 1 - 3 years.
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Price $53 |
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Keenan
Chardonnay 2006, Spring Mountain District
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The Keenan 2006 Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District,
starts off with lovely notes of citrus, ripe pear and green apple in the
nose. Hints of lush white peach are noticed as the wine opens up. The
sur-lie aging has added richness and complexity, a touch of oak
character returns on the finish as well as a hint of minerality. Like
all of Keenan’s wines, this Chardonnay is a food worthy wine whose crisp
acidity and medium body will accompany a wide variety of food fare.
“Michael Keenan continues to impress me with the quality of his
wines and readers need to take notice of what is going on at this
beautiful winery on Spring Mountain. The 2006 Chardonnay, which is
primarily from estate vineyards, is reminiscent of a top-notch Chablis.
It exhibits aromas of crushed rocks, spring flowers, white currants,
lemon zest, and a hint of citrus oil. Medium-bodied and crisp, with no
oak in evidence, this is a beauty to drink over the next 3-4 years."
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Great with grilled scallops and lemon sauce!
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Price $32 |
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