I think we caught this one at just the right time. The fruit is still vibrant and pure, and there is an integration that only comes with a little bottle age. This wine has seen some oak, and that is very much OK. The oak kind of sneaks up on you. Sure we smell it on the nose, but the first hit on the palate is very fresh, and even has a touch of that green garden thing we get from New Zealand, and sometimes French, Sauvignon Blanc.. Very rich golden color. Well past medium bodied. Lots of white pepper spice. Roasted pineapple fruit with lemon, honey dew melon, and a big hit of papaya fruit on the palate. Some snappy brown spice, or is that ginger? Leaves a shale/mineral taste on the roof of the mouth. There is a dried fig taste with some refreshing acid on the finish. As the wine warms up in the glass, there is enough complexity to break that 90 point glass ceiling.
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Excellent price / quality level. Though it is not mentioned, there is a bit of "oak" tasting which makes it interesting. At least for those liking the "barrique" taste also in white wines.
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easy to drink, a glass disappears faster than expected, a bit of peach and white flower on the nose, balanced across the palate, this is chardonnay that doesn't have to scream at you, rather, it gently whispers in your ear, alive with a good mix between fruit and mineral, with the right touch of oak, very nice with cheeses, superb match with a 4-cheese macaroni
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Ripe, rich and opulent, with tiers of pear, fig, tropical fruits and toasted almond flavors. Finishes with a complex, concentrated aftertaste. A real value. Drink Now. - JD87
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Butterscotch, Some vanilla, banana & tinned pineapple. This is a pretty sweet Chardonnay which is consistant with previous vintages tasted would like to see this gaining a little more freshness and finese good for this style but am beginning to find thus sweet heavy chardonnay style less appealing
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Crystalline pale gold yellow. Intense aromas of white / tropical fruit, vanilla / oak, honey, floral (jasmine), mineral. Good acidity, alcohol and body, unctuous. White fruit (lichee), vanilla and honey aftertaste. Excellent balance. 3 more years. 91 pts.
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I consumed the wine over five evenings (vacuum-pumped). On day one, the nose opened-up after fifteen to twenty minutes in the glass. The wine had a clean nose, with dried pineapple, buttered popcorn and a hint of vanilla. The medium-bodied wine was fresh on the palate, with fresh fruit (almost like someone smuggled a small dash of Sauvignon Blanc into the wine), hazelnut, buttered popcorn, a hint of vanilla, and a nice mouth-feel. I really liked the wine (on days one to three; on day five the wine turned a little steely, alcoholic and unpleasant). Good QPR. 87+ points
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Pineapple, lavender, and a touch of clove on the nose. Well-balanced mouthfeel with good acidity. American oak on the mid-palate, with hints of butterscotch, banana, mango and apple. Drank while prepared a vietnamese green papaya salad for S.
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Served at 46 degrees. Pale yellow color. Incredible nose. Boisterously floral with a a little raw cocoa. Very clean and sharp. Minimal if any oak influence. Pear flavor with a nice acidic finish. We had the Catena Alta a week ago and they are very different in style. The Alta is big and buttery. This is much cleaner and lighter. We had this bottle with shrimp scampi and unfortunately it was a little overmatched. The Alta would have stood up better to the butter and garlic. That doesn't mean this is not a good wine. We liked them both very much. If the occasion calls for flinty and clean, drink this bottle. If you prefer big and brash, select the Alta.
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Light golden. Fresh straw and green apple nose. Honey at first on the pallet then green apples and cream leading to a nice toasted finish that lingers in the mouth. A wonderful new world Chard that is a great value at under $14. 88
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White Wine Dinner at Dino's (Washington, DC): golden colored. lots of green apples and cream on the nose. on the palate this is rich and toasty, but not overdone. smooth and creamy with flavors of buttered popcorn and baked pears. nice toasty finish. great value new-world-styled chard.
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This is a great value new-world Chardonnay. Nice apple fruit and lovely smooth oak. Like California used to be. Not easy to match with food but great on its own.
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I dont rate, or feel confident in my tasting notes, but...truffles!!!....anyone? seriously, taste like beautiful truffle oil on the nose exhale. IN ROTATION - FOR SURE
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Straw yellow. Shows gorgeous aromas of exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit, pineapple), butter and sweet oak. Mid-full bodied, with very rich sweet fruit, nicely integrated oak and balancing acidity. Long finish. Very nice. Might be enjoyed on its own, or accompany slightly sweetish dishes, such as prawns cooked in various ways.
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11/11/2014 - cortisj2 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Some lemon, honey melon, brown spices Well made for the price.
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1/24/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 90 Points
I think we caught this one at just the right time. The fruit is still vibrant and pure, and there is an integration that only comes with a little bottle age. This wine has seen some oak, and that is very much OK. The oak kind of sneaks up on you. Sure we smell it on the nose, but the first hit on the palate is very fresh, and even has a touch of that green garden thing we get from New Zealand, and sometimes French, Sauvignon Blanc.. Very rich golden color. Well past medium bodied. Lots of white pepper spice. Roasted pineapple fruit with lemon, honey dew melon, and a big hit of papaya fruit on the palate. Some snappy brown spice, or is that ginger? Leaves a shale/mineral taste on the roof of the mouth. There is a dried fig taste with some refreshing acid on the finish. As the wine warms up in the glass, there is enough complexity to break that 90 point glass ceiling.
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9/25/2011 - Desal-Cordeny Likes this wine: 85 Points
Excellent price / quality level. Though it is not mentioned, there is a bit of "oak" tasting which makes it interesting. At least for those liking the "barrique" taste also in white wines.
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11/29/2010 - MSheridan wrote: 86 Points
the Butterscotch and banana have thankfully faded giving this a little less sweetness and a bit more grace
better now IMO
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7/12/2010 - Strikermax wrote: 89 Points
Heerlijke Chardonnay. Boterzacht, bloemige geur met wat vanille en noten, smaak van ananas, banaan, caramel en eikenhout.
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6/13/2010 - whits wrote: 89 Points
easy to drink, a glass disappears faster than expected, a bit of peach and white flower on the nose, balanced across the palate, this is chardonnay that doesn't have to scream at you, rather, it gently whispers in your ear, alive with a good mix between fruit and mineral, with the right touch of oak, very nice with cheeses, superb match with a 4-cheese macaroni
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5/4/2010 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 87 Points
Ripe, rich and opulent, with tiers of pear, fig, tropical fruits and toasted almond flavors. Finishes with a complex, concentrated aftertaste. A real value. Drink Now. - JD87
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4/20/2010 - MSheridan wrote: 85 Points
Butterscotch, Some vanilla, banana & tinned pineapple.
This is a pretty sweet Chardonnay which is consistant with previous vintages tasted
would like to see this gaining a little more freshness and finese
good for this style but am beginning to find thus sweet heavy chardonnay style less appealing
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4/7/2010 - hutch wrote: 88 Points
Walker Portfolio Tasting (Al Forno): Still waiting for '08 vint. Bright and clean. Solid chard.
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3/17/2010 - winetennis wrote: 89 Points
Good effort, nice golden yellow. Nose is tart, fruity, fresh. Its palate is creamy, lightly acidic, moderate weight, short finish. Overall, very good.
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3/15/2010 - lubetenson wrote: 88 Points
Sempre um excelente chardonnay! Tomamos em março de 2010, no restaurante Amici em Rib. Preto com a turma do vinho.
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3/10/2010 - justallie wrote: 86 Points
Nice, very lightly oaked, paired well with marinated grilled chicken.
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3/10/2010 - tantotinto wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with previous note.
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3/4/2010 - DoubleMagnum wrote: 90 Points
Pineapple, pineapple, pineapple!
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2/21/2010 - rsazima wrote: 91 Points
Crystalline pale gold yellow. Intense aromas of white / tropical fruit, vanilla / oak, honey, floral (jasmine), mineral. Good acidity, alcohol and body, unctuous. White fruit (lichee), vanilla and honey aftertaste. Excellent balance. 3 more years. 91 pts.
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2/17/2010 - JoshA wrote: 89 Points
Apricots and melon on the nose. Crisp and smooth on the palate.
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2/8/2010 - PSPatrick wrote: 87 Points
I consumed the wine over five evenings (vacuum-pumped). On day one, the nose opened-up after fifteen to twenty minutes in the glass. The wine had a clean nose, with dried pineapple, buttered popcorn and a hint of vanilla. The medium-bodied wine was fresh on the palate, with fresh fruit (almost like someone smuggled a small dash of Sauvignon Blanc into the wine), hazelnut, buttered popcorn, a hint of vanilla, and a nice mouth-feel. I really liked the wine (on days one to three; on day five the wine turned a little steely, alcoholic and unpleasant). Good QPR. 87+ points
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2/5/2010 - wineretriever wrote: 89 Points
Pineapple, lavender, and a touch of clove on the nose. Well-balanced mouthfeel with good acidity. American oak on the mid-palate, with hints of butterscotch, banana, mango and apple. Drank while prepared a vietnamese green papaya salad for S.
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1/14/2010 - tantotinto wrote: 89 Points
Served at 46 degrees. Pale yellow color. Incredible nose. Boisterously floral with a a little raw cocoa. Very clean and sharp. Minimal if any oak influence. Pear flavor with a nice acidic finish. We had the Catena Alta a week ago and they are very different in style. The Alta is big and buttery. This is much cleaner and lighter. We had this bottle with shrimp scampi and unfortunately it was a little overmatched. The Alta would have stood up better to the butter and garlic. That doesn't mean this is not a good wine. We liked them both very much. If the occasion calls for flinty and clean, drink this bottle. If you prefer big and brash, select the Alta.
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1/9/2010 - richard.stevens wrote: 89 Points
Pale lemon colour, fudge and pistachio on the nose. Restrained and refined. Good
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12/25/2009 - jbrekke wrote:
Best $14 chardonnay around.
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12/19/2009 - FPNova wrote: 89 Points
As before - Peach with a hint of citrus - a clean, solid Chardonnay at a reasonable price. Always a favorite!!!
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11/30/2009 - jbrekke wrote:
Very nice everyday chardonnay.
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11/13/2009 - jobi wrote:
Visibility: Clear, straw yellow
Aroma: Pure: Grapefruit, melon, peach, vanilla
Dry wine. Full body, Round
Finish: 4 - light bitters at the end
Translated by Google Translate
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10/14/2009 - FPNova wrote: 89 Points
Peach with a hint of citrus - a clean, solid Chardonnay at a reasonable price. Always a favorite!!!
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9/23/2009 - mrpalmer wrote: 88 Points
Very enjoyable chardonnay. Good range, color, not too oaky.
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9/14/2009 - hutch wrote:
Walker's Newport Tasting (The Spiced Pear): 9/14/09: I'm a little confused, as I wasn't digging this bottle. Seemed sweet. Will have to retry. 84+
4/6/09: This is tasty. Good fruit, maybe a touch of sweetness. Tastes more expensive then it is. Very good. 89+
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7/22/2009 - FPNova wrote: 88 Points
Light golden. Fresh straw and green apple nose. Honey at first on the pallet then green apples and cream leading to a nice toasted finish that lingers in the mouth. A wonderful new world Chard that is a great value at under $14. 88
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7/2/2009 - Jennica wrote: 87 Points
Good for price.
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5/28/2009 - isaacjamesbaker wrote:
White Wine Dinner at Dino's (Washington, DC): golden colored. lots of green apples and cream on the nose. on the palate this is rich and toasty, but not overdone. smooth and creamy with flavors of buttered popcorn and baked pears. nice toasty finish. great value new-world-styled chard.
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5/21/2009 - lostgeographer wrote: 88 Points
This is a great value new-world Chardonnay. Nice apple fruit and lovely smooth oak. Like California used to be. Not easy to match with food but great on its own.
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4/29/2009 - d&jsmith wrote: 90 Points
I dont rate, or feel confident in my tasting notes, but...truffles!!!....anyone? seriously, taste like beautiful truffle oil on the nose exhale. IN ROTATION - FOR SURE
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3/13/2009 - Yiannis wrote: 89 Points
Straw yellow. Shows gorgeous aromas of exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit, pineapple), butter and sweet oak. Mid-full bodied, with very rich sweet fruit, nicely integrated oak and balancing acidity. Long finish. Very nice. Might be enjoyed on its own, or accompany slightly sweetish dishes, such as prawns cooked in various ways.
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3/2/2009 - Number51 wrote: 90 Points
Excellent QPR. There is tiny bit of "cheap-wine" flavor here, as it should at this price point. This is thick and well-balanced.
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