Wow! As a 2009 Chardonnay I expected this to be well past its prime and wasn’t expecting to finish the bottle boy was I wrong. It poured a beautiful color perhaps just slightly darker than it did year ago but looked beautiful. A classic Chardonnay nose and really great taste. A bit more medium bodied but very reminiscent of when we drank this wine in its prime Butterscotch tones less prounounced than years ago , but still there and lingered on the finish. Also, it noticeably improved as it warmed up in the glass. This was one of our favorite vintages years ago. As the last bottle of that vintage , we’ll focus on the other great AO Chardonnay we have drank for years.
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Silver/ gold in color, now muted on the nose and palate; creamy and pleasant texture; has retained a nice level of acidity; served with Cajun salmon and miso corn, two flavorful dishes; the balance and acidity in the wine paired well.
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Deep yellow with gold hues. Legs are moderate-plus. The nose shows intensity of aromas that display yellow apple, pear, Turkish fig and dried mango notes that weave into nutmeg, cinnamon, toasted marshmallow, vanilla custard and touches of dried leaves, hazelnuts and tobacco. The palate is full and round. Creamy in texture this wine also shows juicy acidity that lingers. Flavors of dried mango, spiced applesauce, poached pears and fleshy, ripe apricot that are coated with notes of toasted hazelnuts, tobacco, baking spice, vanilla, creme brûlée, toasted marshmallow, oak and mineral. The finish is long and persistent with good balance between weight, density, acidity and flavors.
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The wine has taken an interesting corner, I'm glad we sat on this bottle this long. It's golden yellow in the glass though you can see age encroaching, there's a definitely a darker brown hue to the wine. Citrus notes remain - tangerine and lemons on the nose, with notes of brulee, vanilla and a hint of oak. The fruit is warmer on the palate - waxy apples or pears - but with a slightly acidic bite. I kept on getting this umami note running across the palate too, which I really liked. Really tasty.
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So smooth. Was a little hesitant to drink an aged Chardonnay, but this one still has a lot of structure in it. Not sure how long it will last but it's drinking amazing right now.
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One of two chardonnays served at our wine tasting party- other was a 2011 Martinelli single vineyard (Zio Tony). I thought the A&O had solid balance, was very rich and creamy in texture. The better balanced of the two wines selected. Compared to the Martinelli, the fruit was subdued and tilted more toward apple. The group of friends tasting generally preferred the Martinelli.
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Nose was inviting, crisp and juicy citrus balanced against warmer notes. Notes of lemon custard, baked apple and vanilla across the palate. It walked the perfect line - there is a buttery richness but it is tempered by higher acid notes. I had a glass ahead of dinner, it was interesting on it's own and absolutely enjoyable, but then it managed to pair well with everything Thanksgiving had to offer too. It's great, dive in.
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Aromas of medium/medium+ intensity are enticing. Upfront aromas lean heavy on butterscotch, creme brûlée, lightly rousted marshmallow, cream, vanilla, and baking spices with scents of golden figs, baked apples, cinnamon poached pears sweet french oak and lighter ancillary aromas of tobacco, roasted hazelnuts, white flowers and river stone. The palate is round and creamy but supported with medium/medium+ acid. Weighty and dense on the palate with flavors translating from the nose; baked apples and poached pears with, butterscotch, creme brûlée, white figs, vanilla and baking spices as the main players, roasted hazelnuts, tobacco, and light mineral tag along for the ride through the long, rich, lingering finish.
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Awesome apple peach straw and light floral notes on the nose with tinge of butter. Less oaky than many. Lovely round mouth feel with several soft silky layers of flavors, from a hint of butter that's typical of napa chard and more apple with a hint of lemon zest in the background that's well integrated at this point. Very nice.
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Delicious Chard that shows the best characteristics of California fruit. It has a wonderful creme brulee nose with hints of floral scents. Excellent palate with stone fruits, a continuation of the creme brulee, and perfect acidity to keep the big fruit under control. A really delicious wine (and I have 5 more of them).
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Clear, clean light straw color, fragrant aroma and taste balanced by an easy buttery softness. Enjoyment continued through finish with a satisfying freshness
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Really a crowd pleasing wine. Stone fruit and a warm buttery finish. Just enough acidity to keep from being cloying. What I wish for when I want a buttery chard.
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An absolutely gorgeous Wine! Apricots and melon on the nose which carries onto the palate where lovely tropical fruits mingle with a rich creme brulee. Of course there's oak here but there is so much flavor it becomes an integrated element not a dominant note. There is a bit of acid present to compliment all the rich flavors and the wine is in no way cloying. This is what Napa Chards used to be and IMHO what they always should be (why people buy Napa Cahrds and then complain abut them being Napa Chards is beyond me!) There are scores of other regions that make different styles of Chardonnay so if you like a different style shop there. Kudos to AO for making a near perfect Napa Chard.
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Drank this with "Breakfast for Dinner" tonight. Great by itself (a nice Napa Chard). It was very good with the western omelet, but was an incredible match with the asparagus side dish.
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This has toned down in a good way since tasting at the winery. It still has distinct tastes of spice and butter on the finish. Fruit has mellowed; less tropical, more ripe apples. Like it at this moment - would drink now.
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Pale yellow with gold reflections. Clear and almost brilliant. Medium plus viscosity. On the nose pear, apple, fig, toasted marshmallow, clove, toasted oak, tobacco with notes of butterscotch and cremè brûlée On the palate complex flavors of pear, butter, green apple, lemon zest, clove and nutmeg spice, vanilla bean, white flowers, tobacco leaf and butterscotch. Acidity is medium plus. The wine carries a full voluptuous mouth feel and texture. Good mid palate density and a long rich finish that lingers on the fig and oak notes
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really liked this wine. not too oaky, and just the right amount of butter. Good white fruits. great with some lamb sausage and goat cheese on a baugette.
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AO's chard might be my favorite wine from their portfolio. Light yellow color. Great nose of tropical fruits, vanilla bean, creme brulee and toast. More tropical fruit on the palate along with some butter poached pears and sweet spices and vanilla oak. Great balance and mouthfeel and a delicious, long finish. Paired with a traditional clam bake but the lobsters dipped in drawn butter really brought out the best in this wine. Wish I had more in the cellar!
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Light golden color. Tropical fruit nose with some popcorn buttery oak. Tastes of apple and lemon with a strong oak backbone. Medium bodied. Oaky finish. Everything I hate about Napa Chardonnay.
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Pear, apple, toasted almond and hazelnut on the nose along with some nutmeg and oak spice. Big acid up front on the mouth. Crisp flavors, with great structure and a creamy feel on the palate. Anjou pear, creme bruleé, pistachio and vanilla cream. Wonderful balance and nice layers and complexity. Really nice.
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Tasted non-blind at a wine dinner. PnP. Lovely nose of yellow fruit, melons and spice. More of the same on the palate with a nice caramel profile just before the transition. A hint of oak treatment and malo with a nice creamy mouthfeel but not overdone. Spice and dry caramel on the finish. Very enjoyable overall. Hold for 1-3 years.
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After day one I would have given this a 86, as all I got was oak and more oak. Day 2 it was much, much better and was pretty enjoyable. The oak was more intergrated and the fruit shined throught a little more. Nice full bodied creamy mouthfeel.
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100% new french oak. A much nicer wine than the unoaked (i actually wonder if it is the same fruit benefiting from being covered up). The oak is well integrated and produces a nice creamy mouthfeel with notes of ripe green apple and other orchard fruits. medium finish is pleasant.
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This wine is their "oaked" wine, it has a light clear yellow color and medium body. It has aromas of marzipan, peaches and pefumey notes. It tastes of peaches, vanilla schnapps and marzipan. Another interesting wine from Alpha Omega, and it should go 10+ years from vintage date.
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1/24/2022 - Roman Empire wrote: 92 Points
Wow! As a 2009 Chardonnay I expected this to be well past its prime and wasn’t expecting to finish the bottle boy was I wrong. It poured a beautiful color perhaps just slightly darker than it did year ago but looked beautiful. A classic Chardonnay nose and really great taste. A bit more medium bodied but very reminiscent of when we drank this wine in its prime Butterscotch tones less prounounced than years ago , but still there and lingered on the finish. Also, it noticeably improved as it warmed up in the glass. This was one of our favorite vintages years ago. As the last bottle of that vintage , we’ll focus on the other great AO Chardonnay we have drank for years.
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4/30/2020 - jfkoehl wrote: 91 Points
this was too old. Should have drank this years ago.
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7/20/2018 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 90 Points
Silver/ gold in color, now muted on the nose and palate; creamy and pleasant texture; has retained a nice level of acidity; served with Cajun salmon and miso corn, two flavorful dishes; the balance and acidity in the wine paired well.
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11/23/2017 - bjamesclark wrote: 92 Points
Deep yellow with gold hues. Legs are moderate-plus.
The nose shows intensity of aromas that display yellow apple, pear, Turkish fig and dried mango notes that weave into nutmeg, cinnamon, toasted marshmallow, vanilla custard and touches of dried leaves, hazelnuts and tobacco.
The palate is full and round. Creamy in texture this wine also shows juicy acidity that lingers. Flavors of dried mango, spiced applesauce, poached pears and fleshy, ripe apricot that are coated with notes of toasted hazelnuts, tobacco, baking spice, vanilla, creme brûlée, toasted marshmallow, oak and mineral. The finish is long and persistent with good balance between weight, density, acidity and flavors.
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2/4/2017 - Ewhite30 Likes this wine:
The wine has taken an interesting corner, I'm glad we sat on this bottle this long. It's golden yellow in the glass though you can see age encroaching, there's a definitely a darker brown hue to the wine. Citrus notes remain - tangerine and lemons on the nose, with notes of brulee, vanilla and a hint of oak. The fruit is warmer on the palate - waxy apples or pears - but with a slightly acidic bite. I kept on getting this umami note running across the palate too, which I really liked. Really tasty.
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12/26/2016 - cirushing Likes this wine: 95 Points
So smooth. Was a little hesitant to drink an aged Chardonnay, but this one still has a lot of structure in it. Not sure how long it will last but it's drinking amazing right now.
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8/21/2016 - dkwins wrote: 92 Points
wonderful wine. nice ripe pear fruit and smooth. Perfect wine for a warm summer dinner.
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7/11/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 88 Points
WineFest in Toronto (Mike Grammer); 7/10/2016-7/12/2016 (Mike Grammer's (parents home) in Toronto): The nose is sweet with honey and tropical fruits. Also some vanilla. Blind I might have guessed Semillion or Suavignon Blanc. There is some sweetness (or a perception of it) on the palate. It is refreshing with good acidity that balances the sweetness. Interesting take on Chardonnay.
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6/9/2016 - Hannahgirl wrote: 90 Points
Wonderful Chardonnay. Smooth creamy and Hints of vanilla
Actually only finished half the first day and drank at the second day and I was just as good
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12/27/2015 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 90 Points
One of two chardonnays served at our wine tasting party- other was a 2011 Martinelli single vineyard (Zio Tony). I thought the A&O had solid balance, was very rich and creamy in texture. The better balanced of the two wines selected. Compared to the Martinelli, the fruit was subdued and tilted more toward apple. The group of friends tasting generally preferred the Martinelli.
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11/26/2015 - Ewhite30 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose was inviting, crisp and juicy citrus balanced against warmer notes. Notes of lemon custard, baked apple and vanilla across the palate. It walked the perfect line - there is a buttery richness but it is tempered by higher acid notes. I had a glass ahead of dinner, it was interesting on it's own and absolutely enjoyable, but then it managed to pair well with everything Thanksgiving had to offer too. It's great, dive in.
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5/16/2015 - bjamesclark wrote: 93 Points
Aromas of medium/medium+ intensity are enticing. Upfront aromas lean heavy on butterscotch, creme brûlée, lightly rousted marshmallow, cream, vanilla, and baking spices with scents of golden figs, baked apples, cinnamon poached pears sweet french oak and lighter ancillary aromas of tobacco, roasted hazelnuts, white flowers and river stone.
The palate is round and creamy but supported with medium/medium+ acid. Weighty and dense on the palate with flavors translating from the nose; baked apples and poached pears with, butterscotch, creme brûlée, white figs, vanilla and baking spices as the main players, roasted hazelnuts, tobacco, and light mineral tag along for the ride through the long, rich, lingering finish.
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4/7/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote: flawed
Definitely some light buttery and oak qualities, rich, creamy texture. Main fruits I get are pineapple and peach. Slightly past ideal drinking window.
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12/10/2014 - yelnak wrote: flawed
Awesome apple peach straw and light floral notes on the nose with tinge of butter. Less oaky than many. Lovely round mouth feel with several soft silky layers of flavors, from a hint of butter that's typical of napa chard and more apple with a hint of lemon zest in the background that's well integrated at this point. Very nice.
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8/18/2014 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very enjoyable wine. Rich and creamy bordering on buttery. Did not get the oak that others have.
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6/14/2014 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious Chard that shows the best characteristics of California fruit. It has a wonderful creme brulee nose with hints of floral scents. Excellent palate with stone fruits, a continuation of the creme brulee, and perfect acidity to keep the big fruit under control. A really delicious wine (and I have 5 more of them).
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3/7/2014 - 9500mesa wrote: 94 Points
Clear, clean light straw color, fragrant aroma and taste balanced by an easy buttery softness. Enjoyment continued through finish with a satisfying freshness
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2/27/2014 - 9500mesa wrote: 92 Points
Very nice, sill time in bottle, colors, lip, aromas, I look forward to the next bottle
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10/9/2013 - jrbearden wrote: 92 Points
Rich classic California style Chard
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7/13/2013 - jctra Likes this wine: 93 Points
I like this bottle as much as the last one. Wonderful cali char. Lucky I have one bottle left.
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6/18/2013 - plechazunga Likes this wine:
Really a crowd pleasing wine. Stone fruit and a warm buttery finish. Just enough acidity to keep from being cloying. What I wish for when I want a buttery chard.
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6/2/2013 - TK Mastres wrote: 96 Points
An absolutely gorgeous Wine! Apricots and melon on the nose which carries onto the palate where lovely tropical fruits mingle with a rich creme brulee. Of course there's oak here but there is so much flavor it becomes an integrated element not a dominant note. There is a bit of acid present to compliment all the rich flavors and the wine is in no way cloying. This is what Napa Chards used to be and IMHO what they always should be (why people buy Napa Cahrds and then complain abut them being Napa Chards is beyond me!) There are scores of other regions that make different styles of Chardonnay so if you like a different style shop there. Kudos to AO for making a near perfect Napa Chard.
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4/2/2013 - rhpolk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank this with "Breakfast for Dinner" tonight. Great by itself (a nice Napa Chard). It was very good with the western omelet, but was an incredible match with the asparagus side dish.
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3/8/2013 - PimpDaddy2Kool wrote: 92 Points
Excellent Chardonnay. Has a delicious factor.
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1/26/2013 - plechazunga Likes this wine:
This has toned down in a good way since tasting at the winery. It still has distinct tastes of spice and butter on the finish. Fruit has mellowed; less tropical, more ripe apples. Like it at this moment - would drink now.
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12/25/2012 - jctra wrote: 93 Points
Pear, apple, oak and cremè brûlée. On the palate pear, white peach, oak and vanilla. Medium body. Long finish.
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12/24/2012 - bjamesclark wrote: 93 Points
Pale yellow with gold reflections. Clear and almost brilliant. Medium plus viscosity.
On the nose pear, apple, fig, toasted marshmallow, clove, toasted oak, tobacco with notes of butterscotch and cremè brûlée
On the palate complex flavors of pear, butter, green apple, lemon zest, clove and nutmeg spice, vanilla bean, white flowers, tobacco leaf and butterscotch. Acidity is medium plus. The wine carries a full voluptuous mouth feel and texture. Good mid palate density and a long rich finish that lingers on the fig and oak notes
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12/22/2012 - MichaelNorwood wrote: 94 Points
Best Chardonnay I've ever had.
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9/9/2012 - Flappas Cellars wrote: 90 Points
really liked this wine. not too oaky, and just the right amount of butter. Good white fruits. great with some lamb sausage and goat cheese on a baugette.
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8/19/2012 - Rich S wrote: 94 Points
AO's chard might be my favorite wine from their portfolio. Light yellow color. Great nose of tropical fruits, vanilla bean, creme brulee and toast. More tropical fruit on the palate along with some butter poached pears and sweet spices and vanilla oak. Great balance and mouthfeel and a delicious, long finish. Paired with a traditional clam bake but the lobsters dipped in drawn butter really brought out the best in this wine. Wish I had more in the cellar!
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7/14/2012 - kstoddard wrote: 85 Points
Light golden color. Tropical fruit nose with some popcorn buttery oak. Tastes of apple and lemon with a strong oak backbone. Medium bodied. Oaky finish. Everything I hate about Napa Chardonnay.
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4/21/2012 - vegasoenophile wrote: 95 Points
Pear, apple, toasted almond and hazelnut on the nose along with some nutmeg and oak spice. Big acid up front on the mouth. Crisp flavors, with great structure and a creamy feel on the palate. Anjou pear, creme bruleé, pistachio and vanilla cream. Wonderful balance and nice layers and complexity. Really nice.
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3/10/2012 - floydtp wrote: 91 Points
Tasted non-blind at a wine dinner. PnP. Lovely nose of yellow fruit, melons and spice. More of the same on the palate with a nice caramel profile just before the transition. A hint of oak treatment and malo with a nice creamy mouthfeel but not overdone. Spice and dry caramel on the finish. Very enjoyable overall. Hold for 1-3 years.
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2/16/2012 - gsopo wrote: 93 Points
Tasted like peach. Rich vanilla/oak finish that was smooth, not over-powering. Paired it with massaman curry chicken. Delicious!
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2/14/2012 - lsnider wrote: 88 Points
After day one I would have given this a 86, as all I got was oak and more oak.
Day 2 it was much, much better and was pretty enjoyable. The oak was more intergrated and the fruit shined throught a little more. Nice full bodied creamy mouthfeel.
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1/2/2012 - Russtigo wrote: 94 Points
This was a wonderfull wine, great balance, not too oakey, a very complex mixture of all kinds of flavors.
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12/25/2011 - danstrings wrote: 86 Points
Hmmm, some nice chard fruit but it is masked by an almost dusty powdery oak note, sandalwood meets creamy oak. Mixed feelings.
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7/11/2011 - kmcdonald wrote: 93 Points
Full Bodied Chardonnay! This wine paired perfectly with a light shrimp and chicken salad. Alpha Omega continues to impress!
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12/12/2010 - ews3 wrote: 89 Points
100% new french oak. A much nicer wine than the unoaked (i actually wonder if it is the same fruit benefiting from being covered up). The oak is well integrated and produces a nice creamy mouthfeel with notes of ripe green apple and other orchard fruits. medium finish is pleasant.
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10/30/2010 - Renegade wrote: 91 Points
This wine is their "oaked" wine, it has a light clear yellow color and medium body. It has aromas of marzipan, peaches and pefumey notes. It tastes of peaches, vanilla schnapps and marzipan. Another interesting wine from Alpha Omega, and it should go 10+ years from vintage date.
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