| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
1/23/2023 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 98 pointsSame as my prior notes |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
10/2/2022 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 98 pointsImmense. Profound. Shimmering. Powerful. Incredible dried bananna, papaya, tangerine, with kefir lime & gunflint. This a a rich, fruitful, take no prisoners Chardonnay expertly comprised with subtley assertive acid & tannin. Chef suggested he make a coconut curry chicken thigh to pair which seemed a stroke of pure genius. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
5/5/2020 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 98 pointsI can only confirm my note from 7/16... while edging this up another 2 points. Drank #2 tonite from 2 diff glass shapes... one a proper Sauv glass I use for tasting, and the 2nd a proper Burgundy shape. This wine has class... and power. It's rich... and focused with great acid. The white pear is now a touch overripe, yet there is no oxidation, and it plays well with dense lemon curd bearing a proper subtle backbone of oak tannin. This is best a little warmer than cellar temp. If too cold... you'll be greeted with some edges. Best with food, or as a 2nd glass. This is not an aperitif. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
3/27/2011 - Pointchaser wrote: 97 pointsHad my second and last bottle and it cemented my opinion that this is the best chardonnay and best white wine I've ever had. Light on the tongue, no heaviness, no oakiness, not overly extracted, with just enough acidity to give it life without being noticeable. In short, just the clean, pure, unadulterated essence of beautiful chardonnay fruit. I marveled in delight with each and every sip. What a delight! |
| White |
2013 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
2/18/2016 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 97 pointsAntonio Galloni talks of the Varner Chardonnays as having a "sense of phenolic intensity". I looked it up to learn its' affect on winemaking. Suffice to say it's complex and made my head hurt, but if phenolics are (is?) what makes this wine so stellar, thank the wine Gods for phenolics! |
| White |
2002 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
6/10/2006 - cadamson wrote: 97 pointsI am not a huge Chard fan, but this one really stood out as one of the best I have had. Unbelievable balance and complexity that I did not know a Chard could have! Light straw color, nose of butter, pear and spice. Despite 14.6% alcohol, not at all hot. Despite the strong butterscoth flavor, not overly oaked. Good acidity. Just simply a wow of fruit, butterscotch and a light spice. This is a must have. |
| White |
2015 Varner Chardonnay El Camino VineyardSanta Barbara County more |
6/14/2023 - Wine_in_HD wrote: 97 pointsFantastic! Completely different from the past three or four bottles I have had of this wine over the years. Must be just now coming into its prime drinking window. |
| Red |
2004 Varner Pinot Noir Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
6/22/2007 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 96 pointsRevelatory California Pinot, making a bold statement about what Santa Cruz Mountains terroir can do. With its graceful, violet-inflected red fruit and lacey tannin it brings to mind a seductiveness that sometimes seems exclusively Burgundian. It has a touch more glycerine and gloss than you would expect to find in a Burgundy of similar weight, but never crosses the line into syrupy fruit or chunky fat. In fact the fruit is so transparent that it reveals a minerally depth reminiscent of gravel and even volcanic rock. Beautiful now, I'm cellaring more with high hopes and would be very curious to try this next to the similarly superlative Rhys Home Vineyard some day down the line. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
11/13/2010 - Pointchaser wrote: 96 pointsBest Chardonnay I have had to date by a decent measure. Wonderful balance, remarkably fresh and vibrant fruit. Sufficient structural transition from the front of the palate through the finish. The finish has this wonderful oyster-like quality that lingers on and on. I'm not an expert on aging potential but I see no reason to not crack these open now. I fear the immediacy of the wonderful fruit may fade. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
7/19/2016 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 96 pointsThis is a substantial mountain Chardonnay with copious ripe pear fruit, and yet well composed and supple with surprising acid and searing minerality in the finish. Evidence of oak is very subtle and incredibly well integrated. This held together very nicely over several hours at proper temp. never showing any distracting qualities. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
12/11/2011 - ggormezano wrote: 96 pointsBest wine yet from Varner. More balanced with wonderful minerality and length. |
| White |
2013 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
8/2/2015 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 96 pointsJapanese Pear, bees' wax, cornbread, lemon curd, white pineapple, marble and Fuji Apple. Unctuous golden layers that also exhibit Honeydew Melon. This classic Chardonnay is quite ready and exceptionally long. A truly amazing palate with strength, stone and sweetness. Drink now - 2024. |
| White |
2013 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
8/12/2015 - Dough Boy Likes this wine: 96 pointsBest Chardonnay deal I've seen! Just ordered 6 more bottles of this golden nectar. Let it age some, too, but I can't imagine it getting better. We will see! |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
5/12/2012 - enjoywine wrote: 96 pointsOne of the best CA Chards I have had. Fresh flavors w/o being overdone or “thick”. Very good aromatics when allowed to air and get warmer than fridge temp. Could have waited 2 -4 more years on this one. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
5/4/2014 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 pointsThe descriptors of my last tasting still apply: "The nose consists of complex aromas of lemon, baked apple, tropical fruit, butter. In the mouth, flavors of baked apple, lemon custard and minerals. The oak is restrained and nicely integrated into the wine. A long and extended finish." An exceptional feeling in the mouth from the mid-palate through the finish. Intense and rich fruit of exceptional balance. After having recently tasting the 2008 Neely Holly's Cuvee, this wine seems just a little bit better. Monumental in all phases. Great pairing with shrimp scampi (sea caught), but a more more enjoyable wine to appreciate by itself. |
| White |
2009 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Home BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
11/2/2013 - G-Man555 Likes this wine: 96 pointsSmoky, wonderful, unusual chard. One of my favs and if u like smoke, this is the one |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
2/9/2015 - mateo-san Likes this wine: 96 pointsexcellent wine. sadly this is my last one. ahhh. |
| White |
2010 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Home BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
4/23/2014 - NapaWinePonce Likes this wine: 96 pointsSlightly sweeter and less pungent than its Amphitheatre Block sister, with more mass appeal and equal overall quality. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
9/14/2014 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 pointsA tremendous wine. My evaluation of 5/4/14 still applies: "The nose consists of complex aromas of lemon, baked apple, tropical fruit, butter. In the mouth, flavors of baked apple, lemon custard and minerals. The oak is restrained and nicely integrated into the wine. A long and extended finish. An exceptional feeling in the mouth from the mid-palate through the finish. Intense and rich fruit of exceptional balance." Paired very nicely with big sauteed prawns. |
| White |
2010 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Amphitheater BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
4/8/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 95 pointsOpened at Anvil. Consistent notes as last bottle, but elevated a touch. Beautiful. |
| White |
2010 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Amphitheater BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
8/17/2015 - AllRed wrote: 95 pointsCourtesy of tlv. In a word- stunning. Has a youthful greenish tint and notes of honeysuckle, fresh pear, acacia, crab apple blossoms, citrus, coconut, vanilla and an earthiness akin to the smell of a summer rain storm. Full-bodied but bright and lively, featuring flavors of pear, vanilla fluff, pineapple, quince and mineral with a nice toasty undertone. Long finish. |
| White |
2007 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
9/5/2015 - bonedoc wrote: 95 pointsDeep gold, citrus and iodine, buttery finish, perfect acidity. Deftly balanced, simply great. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
3/14/2011 - batsojr Likes this wine: 95 pointsBest white wine, I've ever tasted. Rich and buttery with a long silky finish. Fruity nose. Full bodied. Wonderful balance of fruit and acid. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
3/16/2011 - AdamWallstein wrote: 95 pointsVibrant and explosive, just a riot of a chardonnay. Wonderful tropical scents and flavors which by the third night (re-corked in the fridge) seemed a dead ringer for a pina colada; I'm telling you, the coconut was out of control. |
| White |
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee BlockSanta Cruz Mountains more |
6/23/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 95 pointsIn Waikiki.... |
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- Tasting notes: 1,308 notes on 70 wines
