by Ray Johnson | Apr 27, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County
Kimmel, Mendocino, Chardonnay 2007 The tropical notes on this wine are explosive. It’s as if there’s a banana Popsicle hiding in the glass. Joining with the fruit there are brown spices and a sense of freshly-split oak. In the mouth the wine is quite...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 24, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Dutcher Crossing, Alexander Valley, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Chardonnay 2007 There’s toasitness, nuttiness, fresh oak and bread dough in the nose. The mouth features fresh apples and vibrant acidity with oaky richness as an enhancement rather than a cover over the...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 17, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Patz & Hall, Russian River Valley, Dutton Ranch, Chardonnay 2006 The nose speaks buttery richness from the get go, with toastiness and apples. The mouth is full-on thick with butter yet balanced by acidity – very concentrated. Proprietors Donald &...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2009 | Arroyo Grande Valley, California, Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo County
Talley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Estate Bottled, Chardonnay 2007 Like the ’06 there is a balance between freshness and richness, this time with more accent on the rich. There’s loads of butter in the nose and the mouth is quite viscous. Yet underneath is a...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 30, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Penet-Chardonnet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Grande Reserve, Extra Brut nv There is a light golden color in the glass and the biscuit notes are quite developed in the nose – very complex. Besides the biscuits there are browned apples, cherries and toasted nuts. The...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 13, 2009 | Arroyo Grande Valley, California, Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo County
Talley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Estate Bottled, Chardonnay 2006 There are toasty notes in the nose and a sense of freshly cut oak. In the mouth there is citrus fruit and a sense of richness – nicely balanced. The fruit was sourced from the Rincon and...