A fairly basic/simple Chard but nevertheless quite tasty and satisfying. Paired well with the pasta with chicken but also stands on its own. Exceptional value at <$7 (Garagista mystery wine).
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Really enjoyed this final bottle from a case that was purchased as a Mystery Wine. Drank it on its own and it was consistent with other bottles and notes. A style that I enjoy regardless of the price, but at $10 it tasted even better for some reason!
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Further to my Note of May 18 '20: This continues to please as a reliable, simple but flavorful Napa Chard. Medium gold color, fragrant Chard nose of some pineapple, some white stone fruits, medium oak (lack of butter!); round, white fruit, good mouthfeel; some persistence. Held well with vacuvin over 3 days in the frig. Consistent notes for 2 more bottles after this one. Glad to have more to drink within the next year or so. Still notable+, even with a nonzero price.
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I still keep getting surprised every time I open another bottle. Garagiste mystery wine @10 with shipping. Very enjoyable, solid, California style chardonnay. Touch of sweetness on the finish and that's ok by me...
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Day one, Zalto Burgundy glass. Tropical nose of banana and papaya. It makes me think of ripe fruit and oak chips in stainless steel. It was leaner coming immediately out of the cellar, but now two hours later as it warms it opens into rich tropical notes. Interestingly, there is still enough acid that it feels incongruous with the ripeness. Fans of ripe and rich Chardonnay will be happy with this wine.
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14.5% alcohol; real cork, medium weight foil, fast legs, crystalline yellow; nose of alcohol, citrus, rhubarb, wet cotton Terry cloth, new leather shoelaces; opened and kept in the fridge for 18 hours, tasted at approximately 13 degrees C, not fruit forward, a rather flat taste of minerals and earth, some fruity sourness, tannins unobtrusive; medium finish retains the flatness with a slight admixture of bitterness; secondary malolactic fermentation, if any, does little to alter the minerality; might work with a fried chicken pairing; not a good food wine
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This was a sub-$7 mystery Napa Chardonnay from Garagiste, so given that, I can't really complain. It is big, ripe, rich, leesy oaky, and all that. If you like the style it was a great buy. I find it a bit heavy and tedious though.
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Just enough oak - any more would be obnoxious, but this works fine as a cheap California Chardonnay. Food-friendly and refreshing. Some odd bitter notes on finish, but otherwise very good for $7.
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Amazing QPR ($7 from Garagiste) in a bargain Chard that screams NAPA, California. Pale yellow, Cal prototype. A bit syrupy in it's big NAPA style. Some will find it a bit "unctious," but this wine is not bred for subtlety...Sterling label, despite the Coca Cola pedigree, will impress big gatherings...
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Apple, oak, and spice. Surprisingly balanced and refreshing for a cheap New World Chardonnay. Slightly metallic aftertaste, but at $7 a bottle as a Garagiste mystery wine, I'm not complaining.
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Further to my Note of Feb 11 '20: Tried another bottle over 3 days. Held up well with vacuvin in the frig with minimal deterioration. I appreciate the restrained use of oak here--not Burgundian (my preference) but still restrained. Solid notable+.
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Not something I normally reach for, but I had bought 2 bottles on blowout and wanted to give one a whirl. Oenecnist note below describes it well - predominantly pear, with a medium-level of oak and definite malo influcence. For the style I'd say it's pretty well done and well balanced.
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I didn't find it as much an oaky syrupy mess that many other might. Sure, sure, its a "new world" oak fest but chilled, it was fine. Lots of tropicals and vanilla but enough acidity to keep it moving along in the mouth. For the price (a Garagiste mystery wine special), it was worth it.
For those of you out there who just like to be "Garagiste Haters cause you can", I say drop it, forgetaboutit. Don't buy his stuff. Go away. He's upfront about what it is/was so don't go buying it for pennies on the dollar and bit*h because its not Aubert or the Judge or DuMol or whatever your fav Chard is at the moment.......
It seems that most of the reviews for this wine have been written by @FJSELKEY. He must of bought a case and decided to plow right through it. Pity he didn't wait a few days between bottles. I've got a few more but you won't read about them tomorrow and next week and the week after, lol.
Bought 6b for "free" about 6 weeks ago from a local gourmet grocery chain: $50/6b case with $50 mail-in rebate. Light gold; some pineapple and pear, some oak that followed on the palate, oak is there but not overdone, good mouthfeel. Left some for 24h, and it held up very well. Certainly a Cali Chard--tasty of its type. Glad to have more and would take more "free" but not at 8-9/b without rebate. Stored horizontally (traditional cork) in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation: For me, scores on a "100-point scale" are misleading. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. This is notable+ when considering quality, age, and (remarkable) price--notable without rebate.
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By far the best of three cheap chardonnays purchased to test-drive for a local social organization's barn dance & BBQ. Fairly oaky but balanced sweetness with true chardonnay character and even a little sophistication.
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3/21/2024 - fmginc Likes this wine: 87 Points
good notes
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7/19/2021 - pyrat40 Likes this wine: 89 Points
A fairly basic/simple Chard but nevertheless quite tasty and satisfying. Paired well with the pasta with chicken but also stands on its own. Exceptional value at <$7 (Garagista mystery wine).
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4/14/2021 - fmginc Likes this wine: 87 Points
light straw and improving fruit notes
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4/8/2021 - Eslotnick.es@gmail.com Likes this wine: 100 Points
Amazing QPR in a representative NAPA Chardonnay.A little bit too "lucious" but pretty darn good and an amazing buy. Paired well with Salmon patties...
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3/9/2021 - Thebigbaby Likes this wine: 85 Points
Really enjoyed this final bottle from a case that was purchased as a Mystery Wine. Drank it on its own and it was consistent with other bottles and notes. A style that I enjoy regardless of the price, but at $10 it tasted even better for some reason!
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3/9/2021 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 90 Points
at $7, terrific ptq
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2/16/2021 - Oenecnist wrote:
Further to my Note of May 18 '20: This continues to please as a reliable, simple but flavorful Napa Chard. Medium gold color, fragrant Chard nose of some pineapple, some white stone fruits, medium oak (lack of butter!); round, white fruit, good mouthfeel; some persistence. Held well with vacuvin over 3 days in the frig. Consistent notes for 2 more bottles after this one. Glad to have more to drink within the next year or so. Still notable+, even with a nonzero price.
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1/13/2021 - Thebigbaby Likes this wine: 85 Points
I still keep getting surprised every time I open another bottle. Garagiste mystery wine @10 with shipping. Very enjoyable, solid, California style chardonnay. Touch of sweetness on the finish and that's ok by me...
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12/23/2020 - Rico100 wrote: 91 Points
Stirling likes it!
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12/20/2020 - PDX-S wrote:
Day one, Zalto Burgundy glass.
Tropical nose of banana and papaya. It makes me think of ripe fruit and oak chips in stainless steel.
It was leaner coming immediately out of the cellar, but now two hours later as it warms it opens into rich tropical notes. Interestingly, there is still enough acid that it feels incongruous with the ripeness.
Fans of ripe and rich Chardonnay will be happy with this wine.
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11/15/2020 - Glenn Gilbert Does not like this wine: 82 Points
14.5% alcohol; real cork, medium weight foil, fast legs, crystalline yellow; nose of alcohol, citrus, rhubarb, wet cotton Terry cloth, new leather shoelaces; opened and kept in the fridge for 18 hours, tasted at approximately 13 degrees C, not fruit forward, a rather flat taste of minerals and earth, some fruity sourness, tannins unobtrusive; medium finish retains the flatness with a slight admixture of bitterness; secondary malolactic fermentation, if any, does little to alter the minerality; might work with a fried chicken pairing; not a good food wine
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9/19/2020 - Nojomoschwa wrote: 86 Points
This was a sub-$7 mystery Napa Chardonnay from Garagiste, so given that, I can't really complain. It is big, ripe, rich, leesy oaky, and all that. If you like the style it was a great buy. I find it a bit heavy and tedious though.
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9/6/2020 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 87 Points
At $5 and change (thank you Garagiste) what's to complain about?! I have paid much more for much less.
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8/25/2020 - RodNey12 Does not like this wine: 87 Points
I’ve really enjoyed past vintages, but this was not balanced at all. Too much oak.
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8/15/2020 - fmginc Likes this wine: 88 Points
Improving with age
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7/29/2020 - jayw wrote:
Just enough oak - any more would be obnoxious, but this works fine as a cheap California Chardonnay. Food-friendly and refreshing. Some odd bitter notes on finish, but otherwise very good for $7.
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7/29/2020 - fmginc Likes this wine: 88 Points
Crisp and fruit notes just a great buy
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6/3/2020 - fmginc Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good fruit and color with vanilla finish
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5/23/2020 - Eslotnick.es@gmail.com Likes this wine: 89 Points
Amazing QPR ($7 from Garagiste) in a bargain Chard that screams NAPA, California. Pale yellow, Cal prototype. A bit syrupy in it's big NAPA style. Some will find it a bit "unctious," but this wine is not bred for subtlety...Sterling label, despite the Coca Cola pedigree, will impress big gatherings...
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5/21/2020 - jayw wrote:
Apple, oak, and spice. Surprisingly balanced and refreshing for a cheap New World Chardonnay. Slightly metallic aftertaste, but at $7 a bottle as a Garagiste mystery wine, I'm not complaining.
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5/18/2020 - Oenecnist wrote:
Further to my Note of Feb 11 '20: Tried another bottle over 3 days. Held up well with vacuvin in the frig with minimal deterioration. I appreciate the restrained use of oak here--not Burgundian (my preference) but still restrained. Solid notable+.
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5/15/2020 - C.W.Birdies Likes this wine:
New favorite Chardonnay! Great balance of creamy and bright. Apple and oak nose, creamy and pineapple flavor. Very nice
4.5
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5/1/2020 - wirelesswine wrote: 87 Points
Not something I normally reach for, but I had bought 2 bottles on blowout and wanted to give one a whirl.
Oenecnist note below describes it well - predominantly pear, with a medium-level of oak and definite malo influcence. For the style I'd say it's pretty well done and well balanced.
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4/28/2020 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 87 Points
I didn't find it as much an oaky syrupy mess that many other might. Sure, sure, its a "new world" oak fest but chilled, it was fine. Lots of tropicals and vanilla but enough acidity to keep it moving along in the mouth. For the price (a Garagiste mystery wine special), it was worth it.
For those of you out there who just like to be "Garagiste Haters cause you can", I say drop it, forgetaboutit. Don't buy his stuff. Go away. He's upfront about what it is/was so don't go buying it for pennies on the dollar and bit*h because its not Aubert or the Judge or DuMol or whatever your fav Chard is at the moment.......
It seems that most of the reviews for this wine have been written by @FJSELKEY. He must of bought a case and decided to plow right through it. Pity he didn't wait a few days between bottles. I've got a few more but you won't read about them tomorrow and next week and the week after, lol.
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2/11/2020 - Oenecnist wrote:
Bought 6b for "free" about 6 weeks ago from a local gourmet grocery chain: $50/6b case with $50 mail-in rebate. Light gold; some pineapple and pear, some oak that followed on the palate, oak is there but not overdone, good mouthfeel. Left some for 24h, and it held up very well. Certainly a Cali Chard--tasty of its type. Glad to have more and would take more "free" but not at 8-9/b without rebate. Stored horizontally (traditional cork) in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation: For me, scores on a "100-point scale" are misleading. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. This is notable+ when considering quality, age, and (remarkable) price--notable without rebate.
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10/2/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine:
By far the best of three cheap chardonnays purchased to test-drive for a local social organization's barn dance & BBQ. Fairly oaky but balanced sweetness with true chardonnay character and even a little sophistication.
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6/5/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Straight ahead Napa Chardonnay.
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