Blind California Chardonnays

My Place - Washington, DC
Tasted Friday, March 7, 2014 by isaacjamesbaker with 501 views

Introduction

All wines were received as trade samples and tasted blind as part of a report for the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 2012 Gainey Chardonnay 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    Medium yellow-gold color. Aromas of green pears, nectarine, buttercream and honeysuckle. Medium acid balances the creamy aspects to the wine. The white peach, pear and nectarine flavors are tangy and ripe, backed up with notes of honey, cinnamon and macadamia nut. A bit of lemon oil on the finish. Rich, but focused and clean.

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  • 2012 Rusack Chardonnay Reserve 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Light gold color. Rich aromas of pineapple, baked pear, honey and cinnamon. Bold on the palate, full-bodied and rich. The pineapple and mango fruit is slathered in honey and dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg. Acid comes out on the finish, saving the wine from being too rich, and I even pick up some mineral and sea shell notes on the finish. A it’s bold and nutty, barrel heavy Chard, but it has personality. Full maloactic fermentation, aged in French oak (69% new), the fruit comes from Siera Madre and Bien Nacido Vineyards.

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  • 2012 Rusack Chardonnay 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Light yellow color. Lovely aromatics of white flowers, clover honey, sea breeze over top of key lime pie and peach tart. On the palate, crisp acid meets a creamy body, everything’s in balance. Love the nectarine, white peach and yellow pear fruit, accented by notes of sea shell, white tea with honey. Hazelnut and nougat linger on the finish. Long and full, yet clean and food-friendly. Full maloactic fermentation, 22% new oak, which allows the purity of the fruit to shine through a bit more. From Bien Nacido and Sierra Madre vineyards.

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  • 2012 Fess Parker Chardonnay Ashley's Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    Medium gold color. Nectarine and lime aromas mix with richer notes of cantaloupe and honey. The palate shows medium acid and a creamy mouthfeel on a medium+ bodied frame. Rich orange marmalade and pineapple mix with honey and nougat flavors, a bit of underlying sea shells. Very nutty on the finish, like crushed peanut and hazelnut shells. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak.

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  • 2012 Fess Parker Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Medium gold color. Rich aromatics of cantaloupe, yellow apple, honey and floral perfume. Rich texture is framed by medium acid. Full of yellow apple, white peach and cantaloupe flavors, dusted with coconut, vanilla and pistachio nuts. I get a note that reminds me of musk and fresh baby’s breath, and a sea salt note on the finish. Bold and rich, but presents itself well and shows a lot of complex flavors. Long, creamy finish. 50% new French oak.

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  • 2012 Fess Parker Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Light gold color. Aromas of nectarine, yellow apple and honeysuckle, some crushed rocks. Rich and creamy, almost a viscous texture, but the acid comes through in an attempt to balance it. Caramel corn, vanilla bean, buttered biscuit and almond notes intertwine, along with notes of limestone, sea shell and white flowers. It’s exuberant, but also fresh and nuanced. A very impressive Chardonnay. Barrel fermented, aged 10 months in 25% new French oak.

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  • 2012 Fess Parker Chardonnay Lazy F Ranch 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    Rich golden color. Aromas of white peach, nectarine, honeysuckle and a kick of sea salt and white flowers… tons going on with the aromas. Full-bodied but tangy acid on the palate with a wonderful sense of richness and balance. Nougat and honeycomb accent the nectarine and cantaloupe flavors. Notes of buttered biscuit, almond and coconut shavings add complexity but don’t overwhelm all else. Love the sea breeze and limestone notes on the finish. Big, but still fresh, elegant even. I’d love to revisit this in a year or two.

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  • 2012 Matchbook Chardonnay Old Head 86 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Dunnigan Hills

    Medium gold color. Aromas of white peach, cantaloupe melon, along with fresh white flowers and butter. Richly textured on the palate, with a bold approach of peach, baked pear and dried mango. Whipped butter and honey mixes with nuts, shaved coconut and lemon curd. Sweet floral notes on the finish. Bold and rich, showing a range of flavors.

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  • 2012 Clarbec Chardonnay Greggarious Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Bright yellow-gold color. Aromas of nectarine, banana, honeycomb and lime notes. Full-bodied on the palate with an oily mouthfeel, but crisp acid shows through. Flavors of golden apple, dried apricot and papaya combine with wax and honeycomb notes. Some banana nut and almond notes, along with some seashell and limestone. One of the heavier (14.8% alcohol) wines in the group but this is well-made and shows a lot of complexity. 20% new oak.

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  • 2011 Grgich Hills Chardonnay 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Rich golden color. Aromas of green pears, butter cream, white flowers, some coconut milk. Creamy on the body but persistent acid. Green apple, pear and melon flavors mix nicely with limestone, sea salt and chalk aspects. Balanced creamy and nutty notes, but the wine maintains a cool and clean aesthetic. Complex, nuanced, beautiful, begs for food. Aged 10 months in French oak, 40% new.

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