Pale gold color. Pronounced, developing aromas of lemon, kumquat, honey, flint, peach. Dry, med body, high acidity, med alcohol, long finish. Very similar to Willamette Chardonnay in style while this is more pricey to be honest. It is very well made, though.
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Served by the winery at a wine dinner. Was very mediocre with lots of funky notes. The very knowledgeable rep made a convincing case that the funk is a known feature and will age out over a few years. I'm curious to retry in a few years and see.
Paired with a blue crab cake, charred blue corn salsa with vanilla bean purée.
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Lots of lemon, some pith, and with some more tropical hints too, toasty, light vanilla, and even creamy texture, yet the wood is not at all a dominant feature and those notes integrated into a cohesive whole. really long finish. Quality chard with elegance and and power.
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Epic Napa Trip - Day 1: Tasted at Chateau Montelena - Small taste (was saving my palate for the Estate Red, which I prefer). Tropical fruits and lively acidity. The palate was sharp, rather than rounded, which is my preferred style. Still a wonderful Chardonnay that is drinking well, and will likely improve slightly with some additional time.Drinking better than the last time I had this. 92+ for me.
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No detailed notes but wow this was good. Nice minerality and acidity. A pleasure to drink now but this still has a long life ahead of it. Would seek out.
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Luis rides again @ The Kenwood: PnP - This wine, and the Rivers Marie drank along side, show how people's palates differ. These are the same wines Rocknroller commented on, and while this wine was squarely in his wheelhouse, the Rivers Marie was squarely in mine. Still, no arguing that this is a nice wine. However, IMO, it drank younger than the 2015 Rivers Marie. I think this wine needs more time to develop, others thought it was in a peak window....depends on what you like!
Wine showed delicate white flowers on the nose, coupled with hints of spice and stone fruit. I thought the palate was slightly muted, with some pear, limestone and stone fruits. Oak was well integrated. A nice Chardonnay that I believe will improve with further age. 92 today, chance of improvement with some additional time.
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Mixed WTDS at The Kenwood (The Kenwood, Mpls, MN): Pale green tinged color. Drank a glass over an hour. Great showing tonight, nose has such pretty fruit interwoven with the delicate dry stone minerality; peach, tangelo, pineapple, mandarin orange, delicate floral top notes. The palate is ultra transparent and elegant with mandarin orange, Meyer lemon, and the same delicate minerality mindful of Chassagne-Montrachet. This is impeccably balance with no edges and resolved oak. I felt like this was in full stride with a full kick to go the distance. 93+ to 94pts.
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Similar tasting note to the last time I had the 2014 vintage. It has shed the funk that i detected three years ago. Love old world style Chardonnay when it is made in California.
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Just a hint of color. Lemon nose. Medium bodied. Flavor of lemon custard with a dash of nutmeg. A pleasant chard that’s aging well. Would I buy more 2014 if I saw it on the shelf for @$37, as this was? Probably not.
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Expressive nose of lemon, tropical fruit, sweet sugar/butterscotch hints at a full-bodied experience on the palate. However the wine seemed light- to medium body and did not match the bouquet. Finish lacked fruit and was too acidic.
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This wine continues to develop superbly. Similar notes to previous tastings but developing more depth and complexity. Really enjoyable and many years left in this wine.
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Really nice chard. Flowers, fruit tree and sea breeze on the nose among other things, with canned pear, lemon, some sweet oak, a hint of ethanol and a seashell minerality on the finish. Glad I have a few more bottles to see how this develops.
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Nice Cali Chard, more in the Chablis style than most. Nice balance, elegant, white peach, lemon. Moderate intensity, shortish and quite simple for a 6 year old wine.
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Fresh nose of crunchy green and golden apples with Bartlett pear, lime, snap pea and fresh flowers with just a hint of oak seasoning. Refreshing profile on the palate with vivacious acidity. Flavors of white pepper zest, candied lemon, poached pear and apple tart with lifting citrus acidity. Finish veers toward those fresh, crunchy orchard fruit. Hints of sweet pea at the end with a ginger zest freshness. Clean but it does linger nicely.
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Purchased at the winery and in temp controlled fridge since. In secondary phase. Elegant. Good focus and pithy long finish. Front end of a short window in my assessment. I wouldn’t risk more than up to 10yrs from vintage on this. Good time to check in for your own threshold. Plenty to give currently.
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After 2 bottles which were not right, I’m glad to say that this one was back to where I was hoping! Full of vibrancy - green apple, a little honeysuckle with a lovely acidic backbone. Well balanced and very enjoyable.
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The last 2 bottles haven’t been perfect. There’s a slight mustiness to them (a hint of being corked - perhaps, but hard to tell as very muted). Nonetheless, the effect is to mute the wine somewhat - just seems to have lost its freshness and tang that was so evident in the first bottle I had from the case. 3 bottles left - just hope they are in better shape!
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Luscious, well balanced, light acidity combined with a rich malolactic softness. Notes of green apple and apricot abound start to finish. One of the best Chardonnay's from Napa. Perfectly paired with steelhead trout.
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Chez J at O, pnp, perfect cork and level, lightish yellow; quite floral, some honeysuckle, some chalky minerality, attractive and stylish; Mid weight, quite long and nicely linear, low on butter and high enough on citric balance, ready now but scope to develop. VGI (17)…...if lacking the extra nuance of the finer Burgs, one of the best US Chards I've had and a good drink!
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Light gold color. Ordered off the list. Drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. This took about 20 minutes to open up. Once it did, it was quite consistent with previous notes. Medium bodied, pear on the nose and palate, good minerality and a leaner more Burgundian style. Very nice.
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Bu à la dégustation LA Grande foire internationale des vins & alcools pour la Fondation du Cégep de Granby. Pas mal in your face, boisé et beurré, moderne et facile. Faut aimer ce style, un peu trop facile et linéaire pour moi. Les autres de notre groupe on recraché et pas terminés leur coupe...par chance, on a pas eu à déboursé de coupon...et que dire du prix pour ce genre de vin...le nom ici aussi a un grand role à jouer là-dedans.
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Beautiful wine from the nose, silky smooth body and balanced acidity. We love the pear notes that begin to form as these wines begin to age. Tasting lemon curd, soft butter, limestone minerality and white flower.
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p&p but enjoyed over 2 hrs which made big difference. Light yellow; nose of lime and papaya, later a anise/root beer note developed that was out of character for chardonnay but a pleasant surprise in the wine, it didn't last more than 30 minutes. Taste and body feeling was mostly on the acidic side- valued by many but not me. I think this really needs 5-10 yrs to meld into a outstanding chardonnay. Won't drink any more for a long time....
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Last tasted 16 months ago. Initial pour was at 54 degrees with subsequent pours just above 40 degrees. Clear yellow gold in the glass. Aromas of lemon, peach, lime peel, honey and glycerin. Flavors included pear, green apple, melon and tangerine. Subtle acidity, multilevel complexity with a clean, pure medium-full mouthfeel. Texture was crisp, balanced and refined with a slightly oily note delivering a soft, elegant finish. Still young, this wine has an upside potential to develop and mature for many years to come.
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Knightsbridge Cabernet Tasting (Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe): Retailer tasting. Pale color with notes of tropical fruit and clay, apple and citrus in the background. Orchard fruit dominates the palate; hint of citrus in the finish. Medium-bodied. Very nice in spite of its youth. Let these rest a couple of years yet.
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Fresh and lively - full of fruit and acidity but with a nice mineral finish and a touch of oak showing through. If you enjoy Chardonnay on the leaner side, you will love this wine.
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This is a beautifully crafted Chardonnay, Med. bodied with a lovely nose of lemon zest. On the pallet rich lemon curd, Brioche and minerals, this is a silky and delicious wine.
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Straw yellow color. Med concentration. Med/Med+ tearing. Nose = Mod intensity. Fresh, bright, inviting and floral w/ ripe peach, pear, sweet pineapple and tart green apple aromas. Also some yeast and fermentation aromas that suggest time spent on the lees. There is enjoyable subtle minerality as well.
The palate is nicely balanced and sufficiently complex. Ripe stone fruit, juicy ripe pear, ripe melon, fresh yellow and green apple w/ persistent tart citrus, lime and zesty lemon. Lees and fermentation flavors combine with vanilla, nutmeg and baking spice from subtle oak.
This lean and steely Chardonnay is drinking fine at the moment, though it seemed a bit more astringent than enjoyable. Light silver in color; medium in body; nose of green apple, lemon rind, and saline. Angular tastes of grapefruit, lime peel, under-ripe cantaloupe, and minerals, with a sour and tight finish. 13.6% alcohol.
I expected this to open up after a few hours of air, but it still tasted a bit like an under-ripe Chablis (and, yes, I know this northern region of Burgundy is not known for its opulence). The non-malolactic approach to Chardonnay will never be my personal favorite, but - even putting this aside - the wine needs a bit more ripeness and depth to be interesting. Lacking this, it tastes somewhat skeletal, at least to me.
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N: Closed; An intriguing melding of vanilla, lemons, & what I was identifying as butter
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with BEAUTIFUL, almost swtish oak/frt deftly of-set by acidity which slowly morphs into a LONG, slightly shy/tight, but BEAUTIFULLY balanced finish. DESERVES into early '19 (min?) to loosen, then drinking for 3 more... safely. [I'm being intentionally conservative as I've no PERSONAL experience with aging such.] AWESOME stuff! 13.6% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, almost certainly MORE somewhere along the line! :) 93 pts WE @ $58, 91 pts ea RJonWine, Jeb Dunnuck, & Vinous, 90 Wine & Spirits, 89 WS, and 16+/20 Jancis Robinson, [This vendor's $41.95 puts it in the lower part of the top quartile of wine-searcher's MASSIVE early May 2018 listing.]
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Textbook Chardonnay. Ripe pear and floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied. Green apple, citrus, and light oak on the palate. Fantastic Chardonnay from a legendary producer.
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Light green-gold color. Ordered off the list. Drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. This has already stepped up from when I had it back in early November. Always a classy number with bright green fruits, medium body, mineral, elegance and balance.
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I love when California meets Burgundy. Love the stink in this wine. Almost as if it has Brett in it. Lovely mineral, crushed rocks and purity of Chardonnay fruit.
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Vinetasters: Montelena (1987-2003) (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. Clearly Californian chardonnay. There's a slight hint of lemon on the nose. The palate is racy and crisp with no discernible oak influence nor malolactic fermentation. Nice acidity and freshness, which makes me think this is on the younger side, perhaps 2012?
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By virtue of not allowing malolactic fermentation, Montelena's Chardonnay offerings always deliver a nice degree of freshness that give the wine lift from start to finish. The 2014 iteration is no exception. Straw-colored and nicely aromatic, it flaunts scents of orange zest, pears, pit fruits, wet stones and white flowers. The flavors mirror the nose, with oak and alcohol (13.6%) that are seamless. Dense on the mid-palate, it closes with a long finish that adds a note of spice. This is an outstanding, structured Chardonnay that should age gracefully. Drink now-2024.
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Balanced, brisk and alive with plenty of minerality and a range of citrus flavors. Light spice. Love the weight or lack there of for a CA Chardonnay. This will be a total winner with 2-3 more years to mellow the structure a tad. I need to grab a few and follow this into its prime drinking when it will be more suave but just as minerally and intriguing.
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Exquisite. Lemon-tangerine, fresh, mineral, layered, vibrant, lifted, nice mid-weight, beautiful primary fruit-driven wine. Saving my second bottle another year or two.
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P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with almost swtish oak/frt NICELY met by a tangy acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly extends into the LONG, tangy/slightly honied finish. A LOVELY food wine which I'd suspect to be even better in '18, then drink nicely through '20! :) 13.6% ABV 91 pts ea RJonWine & Vinous, 89 pts WS [This vendor's $41.95 is towards the top of a VERY crowded wine-searcher field.]
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Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Starts out very lean, typical for this wine, atypical for Napa chardonnay, with lots of lemon and green apple. Nicely bright with moderate weight and power. Charming. upside from here.
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Kathy and I tasted this wine at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco this evening, nose of sliced apple, sliced pear and a touch of vanilla/oak, same on the palate, medium/big body, Kathy liked the crisp, subtle taste, tasty, mouth filling and subdued fruit for me, and a long finish.
Tasted at the Westin St. Francis Chateau Montelena Tasting Room in Downtown San Francisco, only 8% new oak, no malolactic, nose of slightly charred oak, green apple, and citrus, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, slightly fruit forward, might improve with one year cellar time, mouth filling fruit, subdued fruit in terms of flavors and complexity, and $59 Retail price, medium/long finish.
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Better than the 2013. More lemon than I prefer in a Chardonnay but the wine delivers a roundish potpourri of flavors. On the nose it is floral but on the palette it is more citrus with lemon changing to sweet and ripe grapefruit.
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Young and energetic but a bit thin. A trace of trademark chardonnay butteryness, also plenty of lemon, but no real depth. Nice refreshing acidity for a hot day and some respite at Anaheim Disney, Wine Trattoria.
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Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with pan-seared sea scallop. This wine is aged in old oak barrels with no malolactic fermentation, resulting in an "old style" chardonnay that is restrained, crisp and pleasantly refreshing. Flavors of peach, lime, pear and pineapple with a solid, slightly tart, mineral finish. This wine is made to age and, with more time in the cellar, will offer up additional complexity and drinking pleasure for those who are patient.
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Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner (Ruth's Chris Chattanooga, TN): light golden/green apples, lemon peel, white flowers, little bit of new oak/relatively focused and crisp style with blocked MLF/my favorite wine of the flight/paired with Pan Seared Scallop with Roasted Pineapple and Bacon Citrus Beurre Blanc
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Very tight and restrained. High acidity and on the verge of lean for a California Chardonnay. More european but lacks the body and complexity of a Burgundy, at least for now. Give it the benefit of doubt... 88-90p. Not at all as I remember the 2010 from a few years ago, maybe the same on the acidity level but that wine was richer.
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Tasted after the lovely 2009. Less expressive and generous on the nose, much tighter. On the palate good fruit, fresh and bright. Restrained and not overly generous at this stage, but very fresh and precise. Good length. 89-90+(+?)
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Tasted at the winery. Clear, medium lemon. Ripening melon, citrus lemon, green apple, oak. A hint of brett, and strangely I thought I detected some red apple on the nose as well. Developing. Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium flavour intensity, medium(+) finish. A clean profile, assuming the brett is not an issue and/or likely to blow off. Oak was distinct but gentle. Flavours seemingly a little restrained on the palate. An issue of youth perhaps. Try again in a few years time. 90 pts for now.
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Color: Pale and Yellow; Straw Nose: Smells Great Taste: Very Crispy with Light Oak Influence; Burgundian Style Comp's: Pure Cru is Closest; Hestan, Lloyd, and Pina are Close with Buttery Notes
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1/27/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:
Nice and integrated, not fading.
Tropical fruits, white flowers, minerals, lemon and hints of oak. Drinking well. Enjoyed and recommended.
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8/22/2023 - Guillmallette Likes this wine: 90 Points
I liked that, a bit hold and you can taste it. Not a grand vin, missing some balance and smoothness
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8/10/2023 - acheng wrote:
Not that evolved. Not sure if its the vintage or what.
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3/19/2023 - Duvivron's wrote:
Paired well with butter chicken
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3/6/2023 - Takao wrote: 90 Points
Pale gold color. Pronounced, developing aromas of lemon, kumquat, honey, flint, peach. Dry, med body, high acidity, med alcohol, long finish. Very similar to Willamette Chardonnay in style while this is more pricey to be honest. It is very well made, though.
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1/21/2023 - peanutbutterskittles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fairly rich, presumably due to the age (much richer than the 2017 I had a couple of years ago). Nicely balanced by refreshing acidity.
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11/29/2022 - SWHighlander Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Served by the winery at a wine dinner. Was very mediocre with lots of funky notes. The very knowledgeable rep made a convincing case that the funk is a known feature and will age out over a few years. I'm curious to retry in a few years and see.
Paired with a blue crab cake, charred blue corn salsa with vanilla bean purée.
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9/11/2022 - PierreBrusso Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice integration of fruit and creamy body.
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9/4/2022 - LH Sweeney wrote:
Just opened this, and it was very nice. Was nicely surprised that it cellared so we'll! Worth the wait.
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6/19/2022 - Jzizzle Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of lemon, some pith, and with some more tropical hints too, toasty, light vanilla, and even creamy texture, yet the wood is not at all a dominant feature and those notes integrated into a cohesive whole. really long finish. Quality chard with elegance and and power.
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2/12/2022 - bigredPA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full of life, lush fruit, and acidity holding well at this age. A pleasure to drink.
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12/5/2021 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Epic Napa Trip - Day 1: Tasted at Chateau Montelena - Small taste (was saving my palate for the Estate Red, which I prefer). Tropical fruits and lively acidity. The palate was sharp, rather than rounded, which is my preferred style. Still a wonderful Chardonnay that is drinking well, and will likely improve slightly with some additional time.Drinking better than the last time I had this. 92+ for me.
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12/5/2021 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Napa trip day 1: Drank a small glass over 1 hour at the winery. Lime, grass and minerals. Wonderful acidity, butterscotch and white tropical fruit.
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11/20/2021 - boozebythecreek Likes this wine:
No detailed notes but wow this was good. Nice minerality and acidity. A pleasure to drink now but this still has a long life ahead of it. Would seek out.
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11/15/2021 - AB16 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic. No malo, clean , crisp but wonderful depth and finish. Will drink well for 10 plus more years
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11/13/2021 - JCGuthrie wrote: 93 Points
On the nose light guava notes and lime zest. Focused and taut on the palate, with background hints of tropical fruit and good acidity. 92-93
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11/11/2021 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
Mixed bag (The Kenwood): Lime, grass and minerals. This still had some oak on it and I feel a few years will benefit this wine.
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11/11/2021 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Luis rides again @ The Kenwood: PnP - This wine, and the Rivers Marie drank along side, show how people's palates differ. These are the same wines Rocknroller commented on, and while this wine was squarely in his wheelhouse, the Rivers Marie was squarely in mine. Still, no arguing that this is a nice wine. However, IMO, it drank younger than the 2015 Rivers Marie. I think this wine needs more time to develop, others thought it was in a peak window....depends on what you like!
Wine showed delicate white flowers on the nose, coupled with hints of spice and stone fruit. I thought the palate was slightly muted, with some pear, limestone and stone fruits. Oak was well integrated. A nice Chardonnay that I believe will improve with further age. 92 today, chance of improvement with some additional time.
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11/11/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Mixed WTDS at The Kenwood (The Kenwood, Mpls, MN): Pale green tinged color. Drank a glass over an hour. Great showing tonight, nose has such pretty fruit interwoven with the delicate dry stone minerality; peach, tangelo, pineapple, mandarin orange, delicate floral top notes. The palate is ultra transparent and elegant with mandarin orange, Meyer lemon, and the same delicate minerality mindful of Chassagne-Montrachet. This is impeccably balance with no edges and resolved oak. I felt like this was in full stride with a full kick to go the distance. 93+ to 94pts.
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9/4/2021 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Similar tasting note to the last time I had the 2014 vintage. It has shed the funk that i detected three years ago. Love old world style Chardonnay when it is made in California.
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9/3/2021 - AlfrdGrz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Buttery like honey, peach & apricot flavor; beautiful color
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3/27/2021 - jvphoto wrote: flawed
corked
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3/23/2021 - kabert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Just a hint of color. Lemon nose. Medium bodied. Flavor of lemon custard with a dash of nutmeg. A pleasant chard that’s aging well. Would I buy more 2014 if I saw it on the shelf for @$37, as this was? Probably not.
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1/24/2021 - enthusiastic_amateur Likes this wine: 88 Points
Expressive nose of lemon, tropical fruit, sweet sugar/butterscotch hints at a full-bodied experience on the palate. However the wine seemed light- to medium body and did not match the bouquet. Finish lacked fruit and was too acidic.
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9/11/2020 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine continues to develop superbly. Similar notes to previous tastings but developing more depth and complexity. Really enjoyable and many years left in this wine.
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7/29/2020 - SLR204 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really nice chard. Flowers, fruit tree and sea breeze on the nose among other things, with canned pear, lemon, some sweet oak, a hint of ethanol and a seashell minerality on the finish. Glad I have a few more bottles to see how this develops.
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7/26/2020 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice Cali Chard, more in the Chablis style than most. Nice balance, elegant, white peach, lemon. Moderate intensity, shortish and quite simple for a 6 year old wine.
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6/21/2020 - vegasoenophile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fresh nose of crunchy green and golden apples with Bartlett pear, lime, snap pea and fresh flowers with just a hint of oak seasoning. Refreshing profile on the palate with vivacious acidity. Flavors of white pepper zest, candied lemon, poached pear and apple tart with lifting citrus acidity. Finish veers toward those fresh, crunchy orchard fruit. Hints of sweet pea at the end with a ginger zest freshness. Clean but it does linger nicely.
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6/13/2020 - Goodjob! Likes this wine: 91 Points
Très bon, mais un peu cher.
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5/25/2020 - Rjburright Likes this wine: 85 Points
It was ok. Has scallops with mango salsa and asparagus. Not worth the money their asking.
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5/2/2020 - ddecotiis Likes this wine: 89 Points
Expected more. Solid Chardonnay, little overwhelming with MAL notes with slightly cloying afternotes. Would drink now.
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5/1/2020 - Andyofoto wrote:
Purchased at the winery and in temp controlled fridge since. In secondary phase. Elegant. Good focus and pithy long finish. Front end of a short window in my assessment. I wouldn’t risk more than up to 10yrs from vintage on this. Good time to check in for your own threshold. Plenty to give currently.
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4/25/2020 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 91 Points
After 2 bottles which were not right, I’m glad to say that this one was back to where I was hoping! Full of vibrancy - green apple, a little honeysuckle with a lovely acidic backbone. Well balanced and very enjoyable.
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3/28/2020 - Battersea James wrote: 87 Points
The last 2 bottles haven’t been perfect. There’s a slight mustiness to them (a hint of being corked - perhaps, but hard to tell as very muted). Nonetheless, the effect is to mute the wine somewhat - just seems to have lost its freshness and tang that was so evident in the first bottle I had from the case. 3 bottles left - just hope they are in better shape!
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3/1/2020 - acheng wrote:
While this avoids the pitfalls of over Oaked California chardonnay, it also seems a little tame and mute. Probably in a dumb phase?
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1/17/2020 - swoop71 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Luscious, well balanced, light acidity combined with a rich malolactic softness. Notes of green apple and apricot abound start to finish. One of the best Chardonnay's from Napa. Perfectly paired with steelhead trout.
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10/16/2019 - liber Likes this wine: 90 Points
Chez J at O, pnp, perfect cork and level, lightish yellow; quite floral, some honeysuckle, some chalky minerality, attractive and stylish; Mid weight, quite long and nicely linear, low on butter and high enough on citric balance, ready now but scope to develop. VGI (17)…...if lacking the extra nuance of the finer Burgs, one of the best US Chards I've had and a good drink!
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8/24/2019 - SammyD1974 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious. Had with a shrimp boil. Smooth on the finish. Nice acidity, crisp and overall great
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7/17/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Light gold color. Ordered off the list. Drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. This took about 20 minutes to open up. Once it did, it was quite consistent with previous notes. Medium bodied, pear on the nose and palate, good minerality and a leaner more Burgundian style. Very nice.
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5/23/2019 - maxima wrote: 85 Points
Bu à la dégustation LA Grande foire internationale des vins & alcools
pour la Fondation du Cégep de Granby.
Pas mal in your face, boisé et beurré, moderne et facile.
Faut aimer ce style, un peu trop facile
et linéaire pour moi. Les autres de
notre groupe on recraché et pas terminés leur coupe...par chance,
on a pas eu à déboursé de coupon...et que dire du prix pour
ce genre de vin...le nom ici aussi a un grand role à jouer là-dedans.
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5/16/2019 - Hanibal Does not like this wine: 87 Points
pop corn anyone ?
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4/6/2019 - Pikapika Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good but nothing special. Not worth the price in what my tastes are.
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3/31/2019 - Blacksmith450 wrote: 93 Points
Style épuré, droit et équilibré. Il va aller très loin !
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2/24/2019 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine from the nose, silky smooth body and balanced acidity. We love the pear notes that begin to form as these wines begin to age. Tasting lemon curd, soft butter, limestone minerality and white flower.
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1/3/2019 - vinojones wrote: 91 Points
p&p but enjoyed over 2 hrs which made big difference.
Light yellow; nose of lime and papaya, later a anise/root beer note developed that was out of character for chardonnay but a pleasant surprise in the wine, it didn't last more than 30 minutes. Taste and body feeling was mostly on the acidic side- valued by many but not me. I think this really needs 5-10 yrs to meld into a outstanding chardonnay. Won't drink any more for a long time....
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10/30/2018 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last tasted 16 months ago. Initial pour was at 54 degrees with subsequent pours just above 40 degrees. Clear yellow gold in the glass. Aromas of lemon, peach, lime peel, honey and glycerin. Flavors included pear, green apple, melon and tangerine. Subtle acidity, multilevel complexity with a clean, pure medium-full mouthfeel. Texture was crisp, balanced and refined with a slightly oily note delivering a soft, elegant finish. Still young, this wine has an upside potential to develop and mature for many years to come.
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9/8/2018 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
Knightsbridge Cabernet Tasting (Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe): Retailer tasting. Pale color with notes of tropical fruit and clay, apple and citrus in the background. Orchard fruit dominates the palate; hint of citrus in the finish. Medium-bodied. Very nice in spite of its youth. Let these rest a couple of years yet.
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9/7/2018 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fresh and lively - full of fruit and acidity but with a nice mineral finish and a touch of oak showing through. If you enjoy Chardonnay on the leaner side, you will love this wine.
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8/10/2018 - poppacork wrote: 91 Points
So fresh and bright with sparkling citrus acidity, pear, and minerality, but there’s a touch of cream on the back end that helps round everything out.
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8/8/2018 - GregB57 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very nice wine. Well balanced. Better at 45 degrees than 32 degrees. Nonetheless, doesn’t justify the $40 price tag.
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7/6/2018 - Colpete Likes this wine: 97 Points
One of the best white wines I've ever had. Crisp and clean, like a honeycrisp apple on a warm summer day.
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5/10/2018 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a beautifully crafted Chardonnay, Med. bodied with a lovely nose of lemon zest. On the pallet rich lemon curd, Brioche and minerals, this is a silky and delicious wine.
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4/26/2018 - tgang Likes this wine: 93 Points
Straw yellow color. Med concentration. Med/Med+ tearing. Nose = Mod intensity. Fresh, bright, inviting and floral w/ ripe peach, pear, sweet pineapple and tart green apple aromas. Also some yeast and fermentation aromas that suggest time spent on the lees. There is enjoyable subtle minerality as well.
The palate is nicely balanced and sufficiently complex. Ripe stone fruit, juicy ripe pear, ripe melon, fresh yellow and green apple w/ persistent tart citrus, lime and zesty lemon. Lees and fermentation flavors combine with vanilla, nutmeg and baking spice from subtle oak.
Med+ Acidity, Med/Med+ Alcohol (13.6%), Med+ Body. Soft, creamy texture.
Med+ Finish w/ yeast, ripe tropical pineapple, peach, lychee and lingering fresh lime. Immensely enjoyable & a go-to favorite in the price range.
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4/2/2018 - msuwine wrote: 88 Points
This lean and steely Chardonnay is drinking fine at the moment, though it seemed a bit more astringent than enjoyable. Light silver in color; medium in body; nose of green apple, lemon rind, and saline. Angular tastes of grapefruit, lime peel, under-ripe cantaloupe, and minerals, with a sour and tight finish. 13.6% alcohol.
I expected this to open up after a few hours of air, but it still tasted a bit like an under-ripe Chablis (and, yes, I know this northern region of Burgundy is not known for its opulence). The non-malolactic approach to Chardonnay will never be my personal favorite, but - even putting this aside - the wine needs a bit more ripeness and depth to be interesting. Lacking this, it tastes somewhat skeletal, at least to me.
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3/10/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whts & 8 Reds] from 03/09/18: Aged 10 mos in FR oak; Apparently no vintage of this EVER goes through malolactic
N: Closed; An intriguing melding of vanilla, lemons, & what I was identifying as butter
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with BEAUTIFUL, almost swtish oak/frt deftly of-set by acidity which slowly morphs into a LONG, slightly shy/tight, but BEAUTIFULLY balanced finish. DESERVES into early '19 (min?) to loosen, then drinking for 3 more... safely. [I'm being intentionally conservative as I've no PERSONAL experience with aging such.] AWESOME stuff! 13.6% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, almost certainly MORE somewhere along the line! :) 93 pts WE @ $58, 91 pts ea RJonWine, Jeb Dunnuck, & Vinous, 90 Wine & Spirits, 89 WS, and 16+/20 Jancis Robinson, [This vendor's $41.95 puts it in the lower part of the top quartile of wine-searcher's MASSIVE early May 2018 listing.]
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2/25/2018 - G.D.P. Likes this wine: 95 Points
Textbook Chardonnay. Ripe pear and floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied. Green apple, citrus, and light oak on the palate. Fantastic Chardonnay from a legendary producer.
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2/20/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Light green-gold color. Ordered off the list. Drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. This has already stepped up from when I had it back in early November. Always a classy number with bright green fruits, medium body, mineral, elegance and balance.
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2/10/2018 - Thor hegg Does not like this wine: 53 Points
Ikke veldig god
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2/2/2018 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I love when California meets Burgundy. Love the stink in this wine. Almost as if it has Brett in it. Lovely mineral, crushed rocks and purity of Chardonnay fruit.
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1/17/2018 - JCGuthrie wrote: 91 Points
Good acidity, citrus, light oak. Better on day two. Think this will be better in a couple of years.
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1/7/2018 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
Vinetasters: Montelena (1987-2003) (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. Clearly Californian chardonnay. There's a slight hint of lemon on the nose. The palate is racy and crisp with no discernible oak influence nor malolactic fermentation. Nice acidity and freshness, which makes me think this is on the younger side, perhaps 2012?
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12/25/2017 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
By virtue of not allowing malolactic fermentation, Montelena's Chardonnay offerings always deliver a nice degree of freshness that give the wine lift from start to finish. The 2014 iteration is no exception. Straw-colored and nicely aromatic, it flaunts scents of orange zest, pears, pit fruits, wet stones and white flowers. The flavors mirror the nose, with oak and alcohol (13.6%) that are seamless. Dense on the mid-palate, it closes with a long finish that adds a note of spice. This is an outstanding, structured Chardonnay that should age gracefully. Drink now-2024.
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12/15/2017 - sommwines Likes this wine:
Great wine. Amazing that it can be found just about anywhere.
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12/7/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
Balanced, brisk and alive with plenty of minerality and a range of citrus flavors. Light spice. Love the weight or lack there of for a CA Chardonnay. This will be a total winner with 2-3 more years to mellow the structure a tad. I need to grab a few and follow this into its prime drinking when it will be more suave but just as minerally and intriguing.
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11/24/2017 - NapaRightBanker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Exquisite. Lemon-tangerine, fresh, mineral, layered, vibrant, lifted, nice mid-weight, beautiful primary fruit-driven wine. Saving my second bottle another year or two.
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11/3/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Tasted at the Chateau. Pale green color. Green apple, pear, lemon, mineral, some vanilla, good acidity, bright, tasty. give it a year or two to peak.
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10/14/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 6 Reds] from 10/13/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Almost pungently powerful toast with notes of asparagus?
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with almost swtish oak/frt NICELY met by a tangy acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly extends into the LONG, tangy/slightly honied finish. A LOVELY food wine which I'd suspect to be even better in '18, then drink nicely through '20! :) 13.6% ABV 91 pts ea RJonWine & Vinous, 89 pts WS [This vendor's $41.95 is towards the top of a VERY crowded wine-searcher field.]
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10/11/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Starts out very lean, typical for this wine, atypical for Napa chardonnay, with lots of lemon and green apple. Nicely bright with moderate weight and power. Charming. upside from here.
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9/22/2017 - SBHump Likes this wine: 90 Points
Buttery, smooth, nice finish.
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9/7/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Kathy and I tasted this wine at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco this evening, nose of sliced apple, sliced pear and a touch of vanilla/oak, same on the palate, medium/big body, Kathy liked the crisp, subtle taste, tasty, mouth filling and subdued fruit for me, and a long finish.
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8/30/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted at the Westin St. Francis Chateau Montelena Tasting Room in Downtown San Francisco, only 8% new oak, no malolactic, nose of slightly charred oak, green apple, and citrus, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, slightly fruit forward, might improve with one year cellar time, mouth filling fruit, subdued fruit in terms of flavors and complexity, and $59 Retail price, medium/long finish.
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8/26/2017 - tomoem wrote: 89 Points
Better than the 2013. More lemon than I prefer in a Chardonnay but the wine delivers a roundish potpourri of flavors. On the nose it is floral but on the palette it is more citrus with lemon changing to sweet and ripe grapefruit.
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7/21/2017 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 90 Points
Young and energetic but a bit thin. A trace of trademark chardonnay butteryness, also plenty of lemon, but no real depth. Nice refreshing acidity for a hot day and some respite at Anaheim Disney, Wine Trattoria.
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7/2/2017 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 91 Points
One of our favorite. Still youthful.
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6/16/2017 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with pan-seared sea scallop. This wine is aged in old oak barrels with no malolactic fermentation, resulting in an "old style" chardonnay that is restrained, crisp and pleasantly refreshing. Flavors of peach, lime, pear and pineapple with a solid, slightly tart, mineral finish. This wine is made to age and, with more time in the cellar, will offer up additional complexity and drinking pleasure for those who are patient.
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6/15/2017 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner (Ruth's Chris Chattanooga, TN): light golden/green apples, lemon peel, white flowers, little bit of new oak/relatively focused and crisp style with blocked MLF/my favorite wine of the flight/paired with Pan Seared Scallop with Roasted Pineapple and Bacon Citrus Beurre Blanc
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6/3/2017 - cdebeau Likes this wine: 92 Points
Strong citrus notes, high acidity
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5/6/2017 - Mascarello59 wrote:
Very tight and restrained. High acidity and on the verge of lean for a California Chardonnay. More european but lacks the body and complexity of a Burgundy, at least for now. Give it the benefit of doubt... 88-90p.
Not at all as I remember the 2010 from a few years ago, maybe the same on the acidity level but that wine was richer.
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5/4/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 90 Points
Tasted after the lovely 2009. Less expressive and generous on the nose, much tighter. On the palate good fruit, fresh and bright. Restrained and not overly generous at this stage, but very fresh and precise. Good length. 89-90+(+?)
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4/30/2017 - ozyloy wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at the winery.
Clear, medium lemon.
Ripening melon, citrus lemon, green apple, oak. A hint of brett, and strangely I thought I detected some red apple on the nose as well. Developing.
Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium flavour intensity, medium(+) finish.
A clean profile, assuming the brett is not an issue and/or likely to blow off. Oak was distinct but gentle. Flavours seemingly a little restrained on the palate. An issue of youth perhaps. Try again in a few years time. 90 pts for now.
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4/24/2017 - fats1976 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Crisp, acidity with citrus notes; bright and not overly oaky.
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3/10/2017 - kvd2 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Color: Pale and Yellow; Straw
Nose: Smells Great
Taste: Very Crispy with Light Oak Influence; Burgundian Style
Comp's: Pure Cru is Closest; Hestan, Lloyd, and Pina are Close with Buttery Notes
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11/20/2016 - pvewino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Crisp and acidic. Good wine. Green apple and citrus. Good to drink now. I'm not sure if age will help this one or not. Drink on the cooler side.
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10/27/2016 - tfharris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Sour apple i taste.
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5/17/2016 - Double-A wrote: 85 Points
Restrained style. Not much to offer on the nose. Solid, toasty palate and finish. Hopefully time will be its friend.
2.5/5
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