Rich, smooth and lemon buttery with long finish. Mellowed out a bit after two hour open. Not everyone will love this, but this wine was great with risotto and grilled scallops.
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I am in love with the nose on this wine and the con census is a toasted oat cereal with cooked pears. The mouth is crisp and acidic with a lovely agreeable bitterness that counters the sweetness. There’s some vanilla caramel on the palate along with slightly bitter background but an extremely enjoyable wine and perhaps one of the best Chardonnay I have had in a long time. Still a youngster that’s drinks like an older Chardonnay and the caramel characteristics of an older chardonnay are just starting to develop. If you like Chardonnay with elements of young with some age, then this is in the sweetspot
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Big and round and rich, but with great acidity on the finish—unusual for a Napa Chardonnay. I think this could last another 6-8 years without any trouble. Had next to a Martinelli from the Russian river valley (same vintage) which was more subtle and a little more refined but somehow seemed pretty well advanced. Great with charred octopus and shrimp and yellow fin and Mexico.
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Something for a fraction of the price you could accomplish by shoving a handful of pear & butter popcorn jellybeans + a squeeze of lemon in your mouth. Update: After two hours it got a little white flower + vanilla. Throat burning alchohol (bottle says 14.8%) that masks any finish.
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Big honking California chard. Oak and buttery. I don’t mind it some will hate it. Some will love it. Peach and honeysuckle but still with some decent acid.
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Better than the 2014 by a hair. Very much a “big California chard” with a decent amount of oak. Good acid cuts down on the “creaminess”. At 14.8% abv it’s a bruiser.
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Great wine and my last note is still applicable. We tried it in Zalto Burgundy glasses tonight and both thought it was an upgrade. The glasses allowed this luscious wine to more fully express itself.
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My first reaction (after opening it): Holy butterball, Batman!
My second reaction (after 20 minutes): Maybe there's something more here - or maybe not. On the plus side, this defines "full-throttle": ripe, oaky, viscous, buttery, nutty - a whole lot of flavor, oak, and California sunshine. On the down side, the wine doesn't seem able to locate the brakes: there's a lack of tension, acidity, and precision found in the best of these kinds of Chardonnays (e.g., Aubert).
My final reaction (after an hour): This is a really fun, a little reckless, Chardonnay that is priced fairly and goes down very, very easy. I wouldn't call it classy, but I would call it enjoyable. This needs at least an hour of air, though, to show the refinement underneath the oak and fruit.
Light gold in color and full in body, the wine offers preposterous aromas of lemon meringue pie, fresh french toast, and toasted almonds. Tastes of apple pie, buttered popcorn, caramel, and vanilla bean, with a sweet and creamy finish that has just enough acidity to get off the ground. 14.8% alcohol. If this sounds like a dessert, you're paying attention - but, to me, it has just enough restraint to make it work. It's like that movie "Man on the Wire" - the guy is completely nuts, but he has just enough skill and balance to walk the line.
For whatever it's worth, I believe a golden mean is possible in modern domestic Chardonnay - to borrow from Aristotle, a desirable middle somewhere between excess and deficiency. To my palate, some wineries cross it (e.g., Bevan); some flop around on both sides (e.g., Martinelli); and some have mastered the dance (e.g., Peter Michael). I'm not sure if this falls in the second or third category, but it's good - quite good - and I look forward to trying another bottle in a year or so. 94+.
Powerful and viscous mango, pear, lemongrass, and white stone fruit flavors with lesser pure lemon elements. A textural mouthfeel with layers of Creme brulée, olive oil, white pepper, and mineral elements added interest. Served at 55°F after 30 minutes in the opened bottle. A Chardonnay that big red Napa Cab lovers can enjoy without reservation.
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Best Cali Chardonnay that I have taste in several years. Vanilla, creme brûlée, melon and pear with tart acidity on the finish. Hefty weight and creamy texture. Outstanding.
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This is one of the best California chardonnays I've tasted - ever! Crisp tropical flavors with just the right amount of oak and acidity. Closer to Grand Cru Burgundy than CA. Nice job, Pahlmeyer team.
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light gold color, nose is fairly fragrant. The entry and mid palate seem fairly linear with some faint melon and tropical notes. The finish crashes in with lots of mixed spices and toasted oak. It's incredibly luxurious in texture and medium to full bodied. I don't think anyone pegs this as Burgundian in a blind tasting, but it is awfully tasty. The kind of chardonnay I'd finish the bottle if left alone with it very long.
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Just lovely, a classic CA Chard that was PERFECT with Stone Crabs. Not too oaky or heavy, tastes like a white Burgundy. Pure Chard flavors, medium weight, sophisticated... I could drink this all night every night. There was about a glass left over (because we finished the crabs and brought out the reds), so I corked it and Vacu-Vined the air out, refrigerated it. Still excellent with lunch the next day, plenty of life left in it.
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N: Butter, certainly, but with upwards pressure from lemons & spicy vanilla that makes it all "work"
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with nice OAK/frt quickly met by an astringency which only SLOWLY softens by the LONG, tangy finish with notes of honey & occasional HINTS of very, VERY slight bitterness. Personally I'd endeavor to drink this during '18, as I'm concerned about oaky bitterness in the future. My VG+/EXC-, which would be WAY low *if* that bitterness mitigates rather than increases. 96 pts WA (12/30/16) & 95 WE (10/1/17) @ $75! [As of late Feb '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources @ $85 & $100].
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2/1/2021 - Tylerk wrote: 93 Points
Really in an ice spot- Burgundian style with richness and buttery flavors- perfect for an heirloom roast chicken!
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9/12/2020 - Markie_Sharkie wrote: 93 Points
Rich, smooth and lemon buttery with long finish. Mellowed out a bit after two hour open. Not everyone will love this, but this wine was great with risotto and grilled scallops.
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10/24/2019 - aerosol wrote: 94 Points
I am in love with the nose on this wine and the con census is a toasted oat cereal with cooked pears. The mouth is crisp and acidic with a lovely agreeable bitterness that counters the sweetness. There’s some vanilla caramel on the palate along with slightly bitter background but an extremely enjoyable wine and perhaps one of the best Chardonnay I have had in a long time. Still a youngster that’s drinks like an older Chardonnay and the caramel characteristics of an older chardonnay are just starting to develop. If you like Chardonnay with elements of young with some age, then this is in the sweetspot
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10/1/2019 - GQG Likes this wine: 94 Points
A cornucopia of buttery, nutty flavors flow across the palate. There's a notable viscosity and a creamy mouthfeel to this wine.
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9/26/2019 - cnichelson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big and round and rich, but with great acidity on the finish—unusual for a Napa Chardonnay. I think this could last another 6-8 years without any trouble. Had next to a Martinelli from the Russian river valley (same vintage) which was more subtle and a little more refined but somehow seemed pretty well advanced. Great with charred octopus and shrimp and yellow fin and Mexico.
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9/14/2019 - jvphoto wrote: 89 Points
Something for a fraction of the price you could accomplish by shoving a handful of pear & butter popcorn jellybeans + a squeeze of lemon in your mouth.
Update: After two hours it got a little white flower + vanilla.
Throat burning alchohol (bottle says 14.8%) that masks any finish.
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7/2/2019 - ManhattanBeach Likes this wine:
A private dinner, 'bring your own' (28-50 Marylebone, London): Very big, rich, baked apple and cream, pastry crust. Good energy, no flab despite the richness. All really enjoyed.
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5/21/2019 - bugdoced Likes this wine: 93 Points
rich integrated delicious
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5/12/2019 - mreinhard74@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big honking California chard. Oak and buttery. I don’t mind it some will hate it. Some will love it. Peach and honeysuckle but still with some decent acid.
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4/25/2019 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 94 Points
Upon opening, everybody declared the smell and initial taste as fantastic. It's a buy.
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3/24/2019 - Zinlady Likes this wine: 93 Points
Loved it. Had with cheese, pear and nuts. Good depth. Long finish. Balanced.
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3/17/2019 - cweiner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Truly at its peak, To my taste, a classic Napa chardonnay.
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2/12/2019 - Pquaker wrote: 93 Points
Aromatic, buttery, not very acidic. Good with chicken or seafood
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12/28/2018 - GiWineDoc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big rich buttery chard with good acidity and lovely mouthfeel
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12/7/2018 - FramilyWinos Likes this wine:
R
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12/7/2018 - mreinhard74@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Better than the 2014 by a hair. Very much a “big California chard” with a decent amount of oak. Good acid cuts down on the “creaminess”. At 14.8% abv it’s a bruiser.
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12/3/2018 - SMZ wrote: 95 Points
Really impressive....so clean and flavorful...one of the more amazing ChRdonnays I’ve had.
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11/20/2018 - tantotinto wrote: 94 Points
Great wine and my last note is still applicable. We tried it in Zalto Burgundy glasses tonight and both thought it was an upgrade. The glasses allowed this luscious wine to more fully express itself.
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10/18/2018 - cweiner Likes this wine: 95 Points
Hits on all cylinders. Drinking beautifully.
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9/20/2018 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
My first reaction (after opening it): Holy butterball, Batman!
My second reaction (after 20 minutes): Maybe there's something more here - or maybe not. On the plus side, this defines "full-throttle": ripe, oaky, viscous, buttery, nutty - a whole lot of flavor, oak, and California sunshine. On the down side, the wine doesn't seem able to locate the brakes: there's a lack of tension, acidity, and precision found in the best of these kinds of Chardonnays (e.g., Aubert).
My final reaction (after an hour): This is a really fun, a little reckless, Chardonnay that is priced fairly and goes down very, very easy. I wouldn't call it classy, but I would call it enjoyable. This needs at least an hour of air, though, to show the refinement underneath the oak and fruit.
Light gold in color and full in body, the wine offers preposterous aromas of lemon meringue pie, fresh french toast, and toasted almonds. Tastes of apple pie, buttered popcorn, caramel, and vanilla bean, with a sweet and creamy finish that has just enough acidity to get off the ground. 14.8% alcohol. If this sounds like a dessert, you're paying attention - but, to me, it has just enough restraint to make it work. It's like that movie "Man on the Wire" - the guy is completely nuts, but he has just enough skill and balance to walk the line.
For whatever it's worth, I believe a golden mean is possible in modern domestic Chardonnay - to borrow from Aristotle, a desirable middle somewhere between excess and deficiency. To my palate, some wineries cross it (e.g., Bevan); some flop around on both sides (e.g., Martinelli); and some have mastered the dance (e.g., Peter Michael). I'm not sure if this falls in the second or third category, but it's good - quite good - and I look forward to trying another bottle in a year or so. 94+.
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9/5/2018 - GQG Likes this wine: 95 Points
Powerful and viscous mango, pear, lemongrass, and white stone fruit flavors with lesser pure lemon elements. A textural mouthfeel with layers of Creme brulée, olive oil, white pepper, and mineral elements added interest. Served at 55°F after 30 minutes in the opened bottle. A Chardonnay that big red Napa Cab lovers can enjoy without reservation.
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8/27/2018 - tantotinto wrote: 94 Points
Best Cali Chardonnay that I have taste in several years. Vanilla, creme brûlée, melon and pear with tart acidity on the finish. Hefty weight and creamy texture. Outstanding.
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8/17/2018 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, beautiful in the prototypical California chardonnay - rich, buttery pineapple and mango.
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8/14/2018 - shaferguy91 wrote: 94 Points
Loved it !
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6/2/2018 - JAKE1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
had honeydew and fig and moderate chew and good acid and well balanced and smooth, good structure and sophistication
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5/13/2018 - Vailman Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is one of the best California chardonnays I've tasted - ever! Crisp tropical flavors with just the right amount of oak and acidity. Closer to Grand Cru Burgundy than CA. Nice job, Pahlmeyer team.
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5/12/2018 - jviz Likes this wine: 94 Points
light gold color, nose is fairly fragrant. The entry and mid palate seem fairly linear with some faint melon and tropical notes. The finish crashes in with lots of mixed spices and toasted oak. It's incredibly luxurious in texture and medium to full bodied. I don't think anyone pegs this as Burgundian in a blind tasting, but it is awfully tasty. The kind of chardonnay I'd finish the bottle if left alone with it very long.
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5/3/2018 - seijaro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just lovely, a classic CA Chard that was PERFECT with Stone Crabs. Not too oaky or heavy, tastes like a white Burgundy. Pure Chard flavors, medium weight, sophisticated... I could drink this all night every night. There was about a glass left over (because we finished the crabs and brought out the reds), so I corked it and Vacu-Vined the air out, refrigerated it. Still excellent with lunch the next day, plenty of life left in it.
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4/15/2018 - Pquaker wrote: 94 Points
Typical Pahlmeyer, fragrant, buttery, long lasting.
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2/24/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 02/23/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Winemaker Notes, kindly contributed by lvjohn, can be accessed via the CellarTrackerArticle link for this vintage @ the lower lft of this pg.
N: Butter, certainly, but with upwards pressure from lemons & spicy vanilla that makes it all "work"
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with nice OAK/frt quickly met by an astringency which only SLOWLY softens by the LONG, tangy finish with notes of honey & occasional HINTS of very, VERY slight bitterness. Personally I'd endeavor to drink this during '18, as I'm concerned about oaky bitterness in the future. My VG+/EXC-, which would be WAY low *if* that bitterness mitigates rather than increases. 96 pts WA (12/30/16) & 95 WE (10/1/17) @ $75! [As of late Feb '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources @ $85 & $100].
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12/29/2017 - stjames Likes this wine: 95 Points
Yummy
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