An excellent New World Chardonnay, which could give top Burgundy domaines a run for their money. Apple, citrus and nougat are prominent, with perfect acidity and balance. This should not be over chilled. As noted last time, the finish does not quite match the rest of the experience, and is a barrier to a higher rating.
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Part of my exploration for New World "Burgundys", and this didn't disappoint. It is not overly oaked, but possesses a restrained butteriness which is balanced by the citrus. The palate is beautifully rounded with stewed apple and peach, and has excellent depth. I do agree with a fellow reviewer that this would merit another point or two if the finish showed more complexity. All in all, this, is great value and could easily go head to head with Cru Burgundys. A post note this really develops in the glass after an hour or two, and as it loses its chill. 94+
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It’s quite easy for me to pick good, and even great, wines. It all starts with reviews and scores. Today’s wine was a no-brainer in that it started with a very good 91 Point review and only went up from there to a whopping 95 Points! A 92 and a couple of 94 Point reviews were the toppings.
Not that reviews are the end-all, but they do lend a hand in my selecting wines I have yet to sample, and they did play a role in my purchase of said wine. Wait, I haven’t said the wine. Let’s clear that up. It’s the
Joseph Phelps Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast 2019
Blended from 100% estate-grown and sustainable Chardonnay vineyards from Phelps Freestone Vineyards (Quarter Moon and Pastorale Vineyard), it is aged for 14 months in 44% new and 56% used French oak puncheons and barrels.
That generous Sonoma fruit, alongside a vein of minerality, makes this a keeper. A slight butter note entwined with citrus, stone fruit, and a balanced yet subtle acidity brings heft to this wine to the brink of outstanding, but I must give due as well. This is another Cali chard that is transforming into a more Burgundian-styled Chardonnay, a style that I have been trending to for a while now.
Since I started on reviews and points earned, I’ll end on it as well.
The wine is scrumptious. A tad bit more minerality and a little less of the butter note, and it would be a 95 to 96 Pointer, no question. As is, it commands a solid 94 rating, which is a keeper for me and should be for those serious Chardonnay drinkers out there.
Cheers
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Oak buttery bouquet. Smoky, oaky, rich old style Napa Chard. Medium-long finish. Full-bodied, some mild heat in the aftertaste to accompany its oakiness.
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Agree with Crystal2000. This a a great California Chardonnay at a quite reasonable price. No complaints at all. Two days earlier tasted Ridge 2013 Chardonnay Montebello - these two wines go head to head. The Montebello is slightly more structured and bold, with a bit more alcohol and several months more oak aging. The Montebello is slightly more Calformian, or perhaps similar to a serious Meursault, the Freestone more elegant with perhaps a bit more acidity, a beautiful wine for a summer day. The fruit is excellent in each, with great linearity or follow-through from start to finish.
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Every once in a while, a wine like this comes along where you wonder why you pay up for $100 chards from CA. This has nearly everything you could want, even if it's a high production wine without the cult pedigree.
Nose is an impressive combination of crushed wet stone, brioche and hints of honey and lemon. The palate is creamy but not buttery, while rich yet taut and not overdone. A super impressive balancing act. Exceptional fruit, with terrific freshness and no overt oak to take away from purity. Hits the palate in fruit driven layers, but transitions to minerality while showing nice acidity and cut. Finish is long for this varietal. Highly recommended.
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4/23/2024 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
An excellent New World Chardonnay, which could give top Burgundy domaines a run for their money. Apple, citrus and nougat are prominent, with perfect acidity and balance. This should not be over chilled. As noted last time, the finish does not quite match the rest of the experience, and is a barrier to a higher rating.
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9/6/2023 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
Part of my exploration for New World "Burgundys", and this didn't disappoint. It is not overly oaked, but possesses a restrained butteriness which is balanced by the citrus. The palate is beautifully rounded with stewed apple and peach, and has excellent depth. I do agree with a fellow reviewer that this would merit another point or two if the finish showed more complexity. All in all, this, is great value and could easily go head to head with Cru Burgundys. A post note this really develops in the glass after an hour or two, and as it loses its chill. 94+
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7/23/2023 - grafighter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyed and paired well with Lebanese dishes.
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3/31/2023 - Andrew Vaughan Likes this wine: 92 Points
More oak than I normally like but it was very graceful despite. Very quaffable.
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3/2/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
I Know How to Pick 'Em
It’s quite easy for me to pick good, and even great, wines. It all starts with reviews and scores. Today’s wine was a no-brainer in that it started with a very good 91 Point review and only went up from there to a whopping 95 Points! A 92 and a couple of 94 Point reviews were the toppings.
Not that reviews are the end-all, but they do lend a hand in my selecting wines I have yet to sample, and they did play a role in my purchase of said wine. Wait, I haven’t said the wine. Let’s clear that up. It’s the
Joseph Phelps Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast 2019
Blended from 100% estate-grown and sustainable Chardonnay vineyards from Phelps Freestone Vineyards (Quarter Moon and Pastorale Vineyard), it is aged for 14 months in 44% new and 56% used French oak puncheons and barrels.
That generous Sonoma fruit, alongside a vein of minerality, makes this a keeper. A slight butter note entwined with citrus, stone fruit, and a balanced yet subtle acidity brings heft to this wine to the brink of outstanding, but I must give due as well. This is another Cali chard that is transforming into a more Burgundian-styled Chardonnay, a style that I have been trending to for a while now.
Since I started on reviews and points earned, I’ll end on it as well.
The wine is scrumptious. A tad bit more minerality and a little less of the butter note, and it would be a 95 to 96 Pointer, no question. As is, it commands a solid 94 rating, which is a keeper for me and should be for those serious Chardonnay drinkers out there.
Cheers
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8/7/2022 - KAT9 Likes this wine: 91 Points
At $45, this is a great chardonnay. Not the heavy CA chardonnay style, rich but still has some nuance and complexity. Plenty of minerality and fruits.
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5/2/2022 - VinhoVerde Likes this wine: 89 Points
Oak buttery bouquet. Smoky, oaky, rich old style Napa Chard. Medium-long finish. Full-bodied, some mild heat in the aftertaste to accompany its oakiness.
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3/4/2022 - Yaozi Likes this wine: 95 Points
Agree with Crystal2000. This a a great California Chardonnay at a quite reasonable price. No complaints at all. Two days earlier tasted Ridge 2013 Chardonnay Montebello - these two wines go head to head. The Montebello is slightly more structured and bold, with a bit more alcohol and several months more oak aging. The Montebello is slightly more Calformian, or perhaps similar to a serious Meursault, the Freestone more elegant with perhaps a bit more acidity, a beautiful wine for a summer day. The fruit is excellent in each, with great linearity or follow-through from start to finish.
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1/28/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Every once in a while, a wine like this comes along where you wonder why you pay up for $100 chards from CA. This has nearly everything you could want, even if it's a high production wine without the cult pedigree.
Nose is an impressive combination of crushed wet stone, brioche and hints of honey and lemon. The palate is creamy but not buttery, while rich yet taut and not overdone. A super impressive balancing act. Exceptional fruit, with terrific freshness and no overt oak to take away from purity. Hits the palate in fruit driven layers, but transitions to minerality while showing nice acidity and cut. Finish is long for this varietal. Highly recommended.
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