Wine Reviews: A Selection of Chardonnays

I opened several Chardonnays that had arrived over the past few months as press samples. All were tasted single blind.

• 2010 Envolve Chardonnay Epilogue 91 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  SRP: $14. On the nose, delightfully bright green apples, fresh pears, lemon curd, and chalk. On the palate, the wine is both crisp and creamy, providing a luscious mouth feel with beautiful acidity.

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• 2010 Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Reserve 87 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills

  SRP: $18. The nose is interesting but a bit off. White peaches, roasted cashew nuts, spicy oak, pineapple, and vanilla. The palate is quite refreshing – the wine is well balanced and offers some great texture. It ends a bit bitter, but overall, a good wine.

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• 2010 Envolve Chardonnay 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  SRP: $25. This wine opens with explosive aromatics. Sweet lime juice, fresh pears, vanilla, honey, and a hint of oak. The palate is a bit too sweet, but the refreshing acid on the finish helps balance it out. If big Chardonnays are you’re preference this wine won’t disappoint.

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• 2009 Cultivate Chardonnay Dream Walking 85 Points

  USA, California

  SRP: $26. The nose is fairly muted, but reminds me more of a white Rhone than a Chardonnay. On the nose, ripe lemons, butter cookies, and a hint of melon. On the palate, there’s not much going on – the finish is short, and the mouth feel is lacking.

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• 2010 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay Cuvée Sauvage 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  SRP: $43. A big Chardonnay, but the nose is beautiful. Creamy buttered popcorn, ripe, McIntosh apple, crème brûlée, lemon curd, vanilla, and slate. On the palate, the wine has great depth and matches the nose, but shows more citrus and tart apple notes. Perfectly integrated oak. Clearly and expensive and well-made Chardonnay.

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• 2009 Wakefield Chardonnay Estate Label Padthaway - Clare Valley 86 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast

  SRP: $17. On the nose, the fruit is ripe – and the wine smells a bit alcoholic. Super ripe peaches and lemons, followed fresh honey and butter. On the palate, the richness of the wine almost works – as the acidity matches the wine. Unfortunately, it finishes a bit hot.

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• 2009 Stony Hill Chardonnay 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  SRP: $42. Wow. While the nose is a bit muted, the wine is amazingly seductive – fresh Granny Smith apples, lemon tart, and flintiness. On the palate, the wine is rich, with has the weight of fresh lemon juice – and almost as much acidity. I’d love to see this one age.

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• 2010 Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay 88 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  SRP: $13. On the nose, nothing but fresh Chardonnay – subtle grapefruit and lemon rind, some white flowers, and a hint of minerality. This is obviously unoaked – and offers a delightful profile. On the palate, the wine is simple and refreshing.

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• 2009 Boschendal Chardonnay Pinot Noir 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region

  SRP: $15. On the nose, this wine offers all sorts of rich, ripe fruit notes – all of which are hard to place. Lemon curd, gooseberries, and even some red cherries, followed by some toffee and toasted oak. Great front of mouth acidity and a fascinating mouthfeel.

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