The score reflects the "past peak" status of this as opposed to the quality of the Lioco Demuth Chardonnay. I first drank this years ago (and have had other vintages as well) and was very pleased, especially with the QPR. Since I had many bottles I experimented with extended ageing of this. I'm not surprised that this does not age particularly well given how good it is young. Don't believe they really build it for the long term. It's flat, but still enjoyable as a science experiment! If you still have some, drink now. I put it through the Vinturi twice and that seemed to help unwind what fruit flavor remains. It's very mellow and mature.
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Still just as lean and acid-driven as I remember from 2 years ago, but with added weight. Flavors of lemon rind, quince, juniper berry, quinine, and jasmine--I cannot help but be reminded of a good gin and tonic. Good rich, slightly creamy middle that keeps it well-balanced. Probably still has years to go. A great effort, and definitely a very distinctive CA chard.
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This took me by surprise. Very fragrant nose, minerals, apple, white flowers. On the palate, very crisp with great acidity and great length. Not your typical Californian Chardonnay. Really excellent stuff.
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A different Cali Chard. First only 12.9%abv. Secondly unoaked. A light gold with hints of green in the glass. Aromas of apple, pear, peach, stone carry to palate. Medium finish medium plus body. Rich finish from lees contact. Reminds me of a very good quality maconish wine, but less mineral. Good stuff.
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Vibrant, delicious, special. Half drunk on day 1 and then after 48 hours under vacuvin. Clean but not sharp, full of stones and citrus and minerals with kisses of nectarine and caramel. Medium finish with some grip that that builds into a long Chardonnay echo. Superb.
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Sonoma Wine Tasting & San Francisco - March 2012; 3/22/2012-3/27/2012: I chose this wine from the Chez Pannise list knowing it would be good, but I had no idea how good. This chardonnay is simply stunning. Intoxicating aromas of meyer lemon, margarita salt, minerals and brie rind. Over the course of the evening, a bit of honeydew melon came out. This wine isn't oaked and it doesn't need it. Tangy acid hits the palate upon the first sip and carries through to the finish. This wine is almost Chablis-like with its mineral and lemon flavors, but the California sun shows through with the lemon curd and orange rind. Pure, vibrant and simply beautiful. Val, a fan of oaked chardonnays, was amazed by this wine as well. It stood up to oysters with its minerals and acid, as well as a rich, green-olive crusted hallibut. I would love to taste this again in five years. World-class chardonnay. I'd love to throw this wine into a tasting of Grand Cru Chablis because I have a feeling it would hold up very well.
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It has been a few days since I finished this bottle, but I need to say wow. Medium weight with tons of energy, but not shrill or overly tart; a strong mineral core drives the wine from the nose through the finish, with an underlying layer of lip-smacking lemon curd fruit. Mendocino (where Demuth Vineyard is according to the label on the bottle) is a new frontier for Burgundian varieties and results like this one should prompt a land rush. Limited depth and under 13% abv make this a versatile choice amongst Chards for the table; somewhat less likely to bowl people over on one sip but interesting enough to drink the whole bottle. Medium length. Yet another example of California Chardonnay defying the now-outdated stereotype, a truly world class wine and a fabulous QPR. 92-93
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11/1/2016 - ozziewine wrote: 85 Points
The score reflects the "past peak" status of this as opposed to the quality of the Lioco Demuth Chardonnay.
I first drank this years ago (and have had other vintages as well) and was very pleased, especially with the QPR. Since I had many bottles I experimented with extended ageing of this. I'm not surprised that this does not age particularly well given how good it is young. Don't believe they really build it for the long term.
It's flat, but still enjoyable as a science experiment! If you still have some, drink now. I put it through the Vinturi twice and that seemed to help unwind what fruit flavor remains. It's very mellow and mature.
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3/23/2013 - TylerMcNinch wrote:
Still just as lean and acid-driven as I remember from 2 years ago, but with added weight. Flavors of lemon rind, quince, juniper berry, quinine, and jasmine--I cannot help but be reminded of a good gin and tonic. Good rich, slightly creamy middle that keeps it well-balanced. Probably still has years to go. A great effort, and definitely a very distinctive CA chard.
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1/19/2013 - hiroshisugi Likes this wine: 93 Points
This took me by surprise. Very fragrant nose, minerals, apple, white flowers. On the palate, very crisp with great acidity and great length. Not your typical Californian Chardonnay. Really excellent stuff.
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11/27/2012 - arose13 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A different Cali Chard. First only 12.9%abv. Secondly unoaked.
A light gold with hints of green in the glass. Aromas of apple, pear, peach, stone carry to palate. Medium finish medium plus body. Rich finish from lees contact. Reminds me of a very good quality maconish wine, but less mineral. Good stuff.
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4/11/2012 - TPB wrote: 90 Points
Crisp and citrusy with a slight buttery finish. Good mineral foundation. Amazed this was not oaked. Very good.
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3/27/2012 - silton wrote: 93 Points
Vibrant, delicious, special. Half drunk on day 1 and then after 48 hours under vacuvin. Clean but not sharp, full of stones and citrus and minerals with kisses of nectarine and caramel. Medium finish with some grip that that builds into a long Chardonnay echo. Superb.
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3/24/2012 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 94 Points
Sonoma Wine Tasting & San Francisco - March 2012; 3/22/2012-3/27/2012: I chose this wine from the Chez Pannise list knowing it would be good, but I had no idea how good. This chardonnay is simply stunning. Intoxicating aromas of meyer lemon, margarita salt, minerals and brie rind. Over the course of the evening, a bit of honeydew melon came out. This wine isn't oaked and it doesn't need it. Tangy acid hits the palate upon the first sip and carries through to the finish. This wine is almost Chablis-like with its mineral and lemon flavors, but the California sun shows through with the lemon curd and orange rind. Pure, vibrant and simply beautiful. Val, a fan of oaked chardonnays, was amazed by this wine as well. It stood up to oysters with its minerals and acid, as well as a rich, green-olive crusted hallibut. I would love to taste this again in five years. World-class chardonnay. I'd love to throw this wine into a tasting of Grand Cru Chablis because I have a feeling it would hold up very well.
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12/22/2011 - silton wrote: 93 Points
It has been a few days since I finished this bottle, but I need to say wow. Medium weight with tons of energy, but not shrill or overly tart; a strong mineral core drives the wine from the nose through the finish, with an underlying layer of lip-smacking lemon curd fruit. Mendocino (where Demuth Vineyard is according to the label on the bottle) is a new frontier for Burgundian varieties and results like this one should prompt a land rush. Limited depth and under 13% abv make this a versatile choice amongst Chards for the table; somewhat less likely to bowl people over on one sip but interesting enough to drink the whole bottle. Medium length. Yet another example of California Chardonnay defying the now-outdated stereotype, a truly world class wine and a fabulous QPR. 92-93
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