Courtesy of tlv. Youthful straw yellow color. Banana, pear, quince, nutmeg and jasmine aromas. Full-bodied, layered and rich, withs loads of beautifully ripe orchard fruit with subtle, faint tropical undertones. Long finish. Beautiful. Sonoma chard at peak, though this should hold for a couple of years.
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Another beautiful library bottle. Deep golden color with an explosive nose of butterscotch and butter. Palate was more tropical with a lengthy finish. This did start to decline at about the two hour mark, but only slightly. I have one bottle remaining and will probably open it within the next year.
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This is the last of three bottles we bought at the winery way back in 2012. All three bottles have been stellar, with the last popped just over three years ago. Whoa. A bit golden in the glass with lemon curd and buttered popcorn on the nose. The palate is simply scrumptious with tree fruit, lemon, butter, and just a hint of oak. Yowza. thedrunkencyclist.com
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Light yellow, followed by aromas of butter, vanilla, and butterscotch. Smoothly textured with a bright acidity from being grown in an ocean cooled area. Smoothly textured and plush. Very enjoyable with a wide range of foods. But not as rich and complex as the top tier of Chardonnays from the Sonoma Coast.
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The community here on Cellar Tracker says that this wine should have been consumed by 2013. Um. Huh? Ehren Jordan is one of the more talented winemakers in Napa and this is a good example why. Slightly golden color, but a rich and welcoming nose of lemon curd and oleander. On the palate, this is as rich as the nose hinted, but it also has an active acidity to balance it out. I hope there are not people who were in a rush to drink this as it seems to be in a really good place right now. I am going to hold on to the other bottles for a few more years. Outstanding. 92. thedrunkencyclist.com
It is always an occasion when we open a Failla and I pulled this out when we were having some work done to the house and we were having some buyer's remorse. Nothing cures that like a bottle from one of our favorite producers. A Slightly golden hue with notes of honey and pineapple lead to a classic Chardonnay with balance, creaminess and just the right amount of acidity. Cellar Tracker folks say to drink this by 2013. They are completely bonkers. This is outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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A pleasant-enough new world chardonnay with the typical profile of toasted oak and stone fruit. The finish has a touch of alcohol burn in addition to the spicy oak. It may be a bit in decline, although I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
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Held a casual wine night with friends w/ the following quick notes on the wines:
2010 Failla Chardonnay - 88, yellowing in color and with fruit a bit faded but enjoyable.
1999 Nickel & Nickel Sullenger - spoiled
1995 Lewis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, Very enjoyable w/ cigar box notes at the forefront.
1997 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, mature with much oak and earth.
1999 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon - 89, smooth and very integrated. I'd say past prime but still enjoyable.
2002 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, surprisingly youthful fruit w/ nicely integrated tanins. Easy drinking.
1996 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 91, probably the biggest surprise of the night. Retains some nice tart berry notes along with a complex nose, fully integrated tannins, and a nice long finish. Fully mature but probably will hold for several more years.
2011 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon - 92, Youthful and juicy and at the same time has great balance. Yum!
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Well balanced, very clean and refreshing. Quite lithe on the palate with melon, apple, citrus, and yeast flavors. May need some more bottle time as this seemed rather backward - Showing rather dull at this stage.
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Maybe I've been drinking too much Chablis lately (though that seems impossible to do) but based on the comments below I thought I would like this more than I did. I'm not getting much of the fruit others mention...mostly a touch of oak which without the fruit leaves me underwhelmed. Of course, there's a chance I don't know what I'm talking about too...
Great balanced butter flavor. Not overbearing at all. It seemed to maintain a tropical freshness typical of whites with that great butter flavor. Wish I had more.
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8/3/2023 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Courtesy of tlv. Youthful straw yellow color. Banana, pear, quince, nutmeg and jasmine aromas. Full-bodied, layered and rich, withs loads of beautifully ripe orchard fruit with subtle, faint tropical undertones. Long finish. Beautiful. Sonoma chard at peak, though this should hold for a couple of years.
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4/6/2022 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Another beautiful library bottle. Deep golden color with an explosive nose of butterscotch and butter. Palate was more tropical with a lengthy finish. This did start to decline at about the two hour mark, but only slightly. I have one bottle remaining and will probably open it within the next year.
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5/22/2020 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
This was a library release and I had to try it. Lemon curd and tropical notes. In a nice spot for my tastes.
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12/24/2019 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is the last of three bottles we bought at the winery way back in 2012. All three bottles have been stellar, with the last popped just over three years ago. Whoa. A bit golden in the glass with lemon curd and buttered popcorn on the nose. The palate is simply scrumptious with tree fruit, lemon, butter, and just a hint of oak. Yowza. thedrunkencyclist.com
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6/24/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 92 Points
Light yellow, followed by aromas of butter, vanilla, and butterscotch. Smoothly textured with a bright acidity from being grown in an ocean cooled area. Smoothly textured and plush. Very enjoyable with a wide range of foods. But not as rich and complex as the top tier of Chardonnays from the Sonoma Coast.
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12/20/2016 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
The community here on Cellar Tracker says that this wine should have been consumed by 2013. Um. Huh? Ehren Jordan is one of the more talented winemakers in Napa and this is a good example why. Slightly golden color, but a rich and welcoming nose of lemon curd and oleander. On the palate, this is as rich as the nose hinted, but it also has an active acidity to balance it out. I hope there are not people who were in a rush to drink this as it seems to be in a really good place right now. I am going to hold on to the other bottles for a few more years. Outstanding. 92. thedrunkencyclist.com
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10/9/2015 - dlcass wrote: 94 Points
This is a beautiful wine with a beautiful nose, mouthfeel and finish. Smooth. Notes of vanilla.
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7/7/2015 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
It is always an occasion when we open a Failla and I pulled this out when we were having some work done to the house and we were having some buyer's remorse. Nothing cures that like a bottle from one of our favorite producers. A Slightly golden hue with notes of honey and pineapple lead to a classic Chardonnay with balance, creaminess and just the right amount of acidity. Cellar Tracker folks say to drink this by 2013. They are completely bonkers. This is outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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8/17/2014 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
A pleasant-enough new world chardonnay with the typical profile of toasted oak and stone fruit. The finish has a touch of alcohol burn in addition to the spicy oak. It may be a bit in decline, although I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
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4/5/2014 - H*3 wrote: 88 Points
Held a casual wine night with friends w/ the following quick notes on the wines:
2010 Failla Chardonnay - 88, yellowing in color and with fruit a bit faded but enjoyable.
1999 Nickel & Nickel Sullenger - spoiled
1995 Lewis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, Very enjoyable w/ cigar box notes at the forefront.
1997 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, mature with much oak and earth.
1999 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon - 89, smooth and very integrated. I'd say past prime but still enjoyable.
2002 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 90, surprisingly youthful fruit w/ nicely integrated tanins. Easy drinking.
1996 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 91, probably the biggest surprise of the night. Retains some nice tart berry notes along with a complex nose, fully integrated tannins, and a nice long finish. Fully mature but probably will hold for several more years.
2011 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon - 92, Youthful and juicy and at the same time has great balance. Yum!
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12/21/2013 - Night Train wrote: 87 Points
I'm guessing that I held onto this too long. Not unpleasant - tropical fruit and a little butter, but somewhat flat and dull.
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11/28/2013 - csnyder612 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Should have enjoyed this last year. Starting to lose its fruit.
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6/15/2013 - JSPuskar wrote: 87 Points
Nose of woods and grass, nicely balanced butter and oak on the palate.
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2/17/2013 - mattyboy_ wrote: 88 Points
Well balanced, very clean and refreshing. Quite lithe on the palate with melon, apple, citrus, and yeast flavors. May need some more bottle time as this seemed rather backward - Showing rather dull at this stage.
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8/23/2012 - Tom Warden wrote: 87 Points
Maybe I've been drinking too much Chablis lately (though that seems impossible to do) but based on the comments below I thought I would like this more than I did. I'm not getting much of the fruit others mention...mostly a touch of oak which without the fruit leaves me underwhelmed. Of course, there's a chance I don't know what I'm talking about too...
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7/26/2012 - Mroth111 Likes this wine:
Light and fruity with great aroma. Perfect for sunny backyard patio party.
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4/11/2012 - csnyder612 wrote: 87 Points
floral / lemon aroma. nice balance of sweet and tart. green apple and citris fruits, medium finish.
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2/20/2012 - ZamBR wrote:
Great balanced butter flavor. Not overbearing at all. It seemed to maintain a tropical freshness typical of whites with that great butter flavor. Wish I had more.
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12/19/2011 - SanFranSoxFan04 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Peach, Melon, Pear, and something tropical. My wife will not touch chardonnay, foreign or domestic, but she rather enjoyed this.
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7/25/2011 - joshwoodward wrote: 90 Points
Vanguard (Columbus, OH): Pear bomb, good acid, restrained, delicious. $37
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