Deep golden yellow. Clear and bright. Aromas are dense and rich with tropical fruit, sweet spices and roasted nuts. The palate is rich but lively with Meyer lemon, orange marmalade flavors and nice balancing acidity. This is a big, full bodied Chardonnay but perfectly balanced. Probably won't get any better but a real treat right now.
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Seamless and drinking very well right now. Others notes describe it well -- classic Santa Barbara chard, but with greater saturation and density than just about any I've ever had.
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Johnny brought this to Bistro Dre. Performed well after opening up for a bit. Nice tropical qualities, some mineral notes. Excellent mouth feel. For about forty bucks you won't find a better California Chardonnay. Long and complex finish with a slight waxy sensation on the palate - really well made and the fruit is just gorgeous.
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Powerful Chard with rich pear fruit, fig and vanilla but there is a core of minerality and acidity that keep it from being flabby. For fans of a richer style. Drinking well now.
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Pop and pour. It's been three months since I tasted it, but this seems very reminiscent of the 2008 Varner Bee Block. If there's a difference, perhaps this shows a touch more toasted oak influence. Still, like the Bee Block, a lovely bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Chard.
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A tremendous wine. Still quite similar to my last tasting. Magnificent and complex aromas, beginning with nuances of an orange and lemon liqueur combination, along with mango, apricot, pineapple, crème brulee and a decent amount of well integrated vanillin oak. After the wine is open for a while, the pineapple, crème brulee and vanillin become more dominant, but not overbearing (to me anyway). Succulent and velvety in the mouth. Great balance and structure. A long and extended velvety finish. For me, this wine is better appreciated without food, but it went well with a baked Atlantic Salmon (not spiced). One of the better California chardonnays I’ve experienced. As I mentioned last time, monumental stuff. Score 96-97.
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Christmas BYO (HSH): A very exotic nose with plenty of pineapple and a lot of wood :-) Full-bodied pineapple on the palate and a lot of white pepper and liquorice. Has an almost oily texture but does also seems to be a little bit closed.
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I ended my last post on this wine, almost 20 months ago, by saying “drink the good wine now.” Where have I been by not drinking more of this magnificent wine (I guess saving my small valuable cache). Anyway, I get highly aromatic and complex whiffs of orange and lemon liqueur, apricot, pineapple, crème brulee and a fair amount of well integrated vanillin oak. I did not get any cashew this time. I mentioned last time about this having Burgundian nuances, but this time it seems more Californian. The youth of the wine 20 months ago could attribute to the variances on the two nuance observations. Still though, a tremendously graceful and velvety wine in the mouth. Great acid and structure. Again, a long and both elegant and silky finish. A wine to dwell on and appreciate by itself. Monumental stuff.
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See previous notes. My last bottle..... (Wish I had two cases....). Stoney and white pineapple galore. Utterly amazing. This will still provide enormous pleasure in 7 - 8 years. Drink now - 2019.
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I've heard a lot of fuzz over this wine. And on my Birthsday I found it to be true! Such a great wine. So livley and fresh at the same time as being really rich. This is my best Cali Chardonnay this year! Bravo!
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What a pretty wine. Elegant and lithe (who would ever think I would say that about a wine - but there you go) with pineapple and a hint of vanilla. Perfect balance, with just the right zip of acidity. Really a lovely wine.
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See previous notes. I salute in awe. Even a better showing than before, with some cotton candy and smooth mineral. White pineapple and some spice; such a full-bodied wonder that ventures toward every index of your palate. Perfect for the summer and the vibrancy is even more available. Drink now - 2018.
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And I thought its sister wine, the '08 Varner Bee Block was good. This could very well be the best bottle of chardonnay that I have ever had and I enjoyed it immediately following a cross country UPS trip and an afternoon on ice. Smooth as silk and a perfect compliment to a giant shellfish platter from the raw bar at Comme Ca in the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Truly exceptional.
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So captivating and lacks any of the banality that one can expect from most Californian Chardonnay. So complex and thought provoking. See Previous notes.
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Popped, aired and poured after forty-five minutes. Astonishing, this is the best California Chardonnay that I have ever had. Deep brass and gold, with a little straw. A blockbuster on the nose, with pineapple, stone, chalk, Meyer Lemon, honey and spice. Extremely long and seductive, this lurers you in and drags you along the satin. Layered beyond belief with a finish that is over a minute. Enticing, and statuesque; really Old-World with a ripe/new feel. Chablis meets Montrachet, I really have fallen for Santa Cruz Chardonnay, for it is the best AVA in California for this varietal. For the cellar and enjoyable now. Addicting. Drink now - 2020.
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5 stars on this wine. Aromatic whiffs of combined orange and lemon liqueur, apricot, mango, cashew and tropical fruits. No saturation of vanillian here - nicely integrated mild oak. A really elegant and graceful wine. Good acid. Very open at this juncture. Doesn't seem Californian; more Burgundian, but cannot attach a comparative Beaune appellation. Long elegant finish. You could just consume this by itself (make sure to have a designated driver), but it goes well with food (in my case roasted crown pork). Drink the good wine now!
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California BYO (@ Terkel): Nice and complex nose with smoke and sweet vanilla and minor notes of honeydew melon, yogurt and glue. Very fresh palate dominated by exotic fruit and vanilla and a little liquorice in the aftertaste. Great balance.
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Beautiful yellow color with a youthful greenish hue. Very intense nose with notes of exotic yellow fruits such as lychee, pineapple and passion fruit, as well as ripe yellow plums, oak and burned caramel. On the palate it is very juicy with loads of ripe yellow fruit. Very hedonistic and inviting style, where the fruit stretches through to the finish. On the midpalate notes of creamy caramel and a touch of vanilla adds to the complexity. Great length and striking acidity balances the fruit and sweetness perfectly.
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4/7/2017 - canan wrote: 95 Points
BYO - Michael (Michaels place): Intense pineapple fruit and a wonderful balance. Very impressive wine!
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5/3/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep golden yellow. Clear and bright. Aromas are dense and rich with tropical fruit, sweet spices and roasted nuts. The palate is rich but lively with Meyer lemon, orange marmalade flavors and nice balancing acidity. This is a big, full bodied Chardonnay but perfectly balanced. Probably won't get any better but a real treat right now.
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12/8/2014 - Lord Rodney wrote: 92 Points
Good bottle - still not as great as it used to be. Drink up?
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11/5/2014 - Mr T wrote:
goodby to a good friend...lovely
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7/27/2014 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 Points
A magnificent wine. Too bad it's the last bottle. See my prior notes. This time it paired wonderfully with crab cakes.
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5/2/2014 - Chainthroer wrote: 95 Points
This wine is again phenomenal. See my prior notes of 3-8-2013 and 11-2-2012. I have only one bottle left - unfortunately.
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3/18/2014 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 Points
Just about the same as my assessments on 3-8-2014, except there seemed to be more toasty oak on the nose. Again, a phenomenal wine.
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11/20/2013 - zakaib wrote: 92 Points
Seamless and drinking very well right now. Others notes describe it well -- classic Santa Barbara chard, but with greater saturation and density than just about any I've ever had.
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7/23/2013 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Johnny brought this to Bistro Dre. Performed well after opening up for a bit. Nice tropical qualities, some mineral notes. Excellent mouth feel. For about forty bucks you won't find a better California Chardonnay.
Long and complex finish with a slight waxy sensation on the palate - really well made and the fruit is just gorgeous.
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5/29/2013 - thescrod wrote: 94 Points
Love the Neely & Varner chards. This one is hitting on all cylinders right now.
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4/20/2013 - Lord Rodney wrote: 94 Points
About as good as the last bottle. Maturing more quickly than guessed?
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3/31/2013 - rmodak wrote: 91 Points
Powerful Chard with rich pear fruit, fig and vanilla but there is a core of minerality and acidity that keep it from being flabby. For fans of a richer style. Drinking well now.
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3/21/2013 - rsbeck wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour. It's been three months since I tasted it, but this seems very reminiscent of the 2008 Varner Bee Block. If there's a difference, perhaps this shows a touch more toasted oak influence. Still, like the Bee Block, a lovely bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Chard.
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3/8/2013 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 Points
A tremendous wine. Still quite similar to my last tasting. Magnificent and complex aromas, beginning with nuances of an orange and lemon liqueur combination, along with mango, apricot, pineapple, crème brulee and a decent amount of well integrated vanillin oak. After the wine is open for a while, the pineapple, crème brulee and vanillin become more dominant, but not overbearing (to me anyway). Succulent and velvety in the mouth. Great balance and structure. A long and extended velvety finish. For me, this wine is better appreciated without food, but it went well with a baked Atlantic Salmon (not spiced). One of the better California chardonnays I’ve experienced. As I mentioned last time, monumental stuff. Score 96-97.
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1/7/2013 - Mr T wrote:
this one got popped when I wasn't looking....somehow lasted a couple of days and still great after 3 days open..great wine
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12/8/2012 - canan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Christmas BYO (HSH): A very exotic nose with plenty of pineapple and a lot of wood :-)
Full-bodied pineapple on the palate and a lot of white pepper and liquorice. Has an almost oily texture but does also seems to be a little bit closed.
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11/2/2012 - Chainthroer wrote: 96 Points
I ended my last post on this wine, almost 20 months ago, by saying “drink the good wine now.” Where have I been by not drinking more of this magnificent wine (I guess saving my small valuable cache). Anyway, I get highly aromatic and complex whiffs of orange and lemon liqueur, apricot, pineapple, crème brulee and a fair amount of well integrated vanillin oak. I did not get any cashew this time. I mentioned last time about this having Burgundian nuances, but this time it seems more Californian. The youth of the wine 20 months ago could attribute to the variances on the two nuance observations. Still though, a tremendously graceful and velvety wine in the mouth. Great acid and structure. Again, a long and both elegant and silky finish. A wine to dwell on and appreciate by itself. Monumental stuff.
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8/31/2012 - Mr T wrote:
gorgeous chard....I wish I had more...
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8/29/2012 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 97 Points
See previous notes. My last bottle..... (Wish I had two cases....). Stoney and white pineapple galore. Utterly amazing. This will still provide enormous pleasure in 7 - 8 years. Drink now - 2019.
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8/2/2012 - Lord Rodney wrote: 95 Points
I've heard a lot of fuzz over this wine. And on my Birthsday I found it to be true! Such a great wine. So livley and fresh at the same time as being really rich. This is my best Cali Chardonnay this year! Bravo!
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6/8/2012 - cookiefiend wrote: 90 Points
What a pretty wine. Elegant and lithe (who would ever think I would say that about a wine - but there you go) with pineapple and a hint of vanilla. Perfect balance, with just the right zip of acidity. Really a lovely wine.
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8/11/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 97 Points
See previous notes. I salute in awe. Even a better showing than before, with some cotton candy and smooth mineral. White pineapple and some spice; such a full-bodied wonder that ventures toward every index of your palate. Perfect for the summer and the vibrancy is even more available. Drink now - 2018.
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6/22/2011 - Mr T wrote:
Popped for father's day and I got just a taste...everyone else thought it was great...as well they should have
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5/19/2011 - thescrod wrote: 96 Points
And I thought its sister wine, the '08 Varner Bee Block was good. This could very well be the best bottle of chardonnay that I have ever had and I enjoyed it immediately following a cross country UPS trip and an afternoon on ice. Smooth as silk and a perfect compliment to a giant shellfish platter from the raw bar at Comme Ca in the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Truly exceptional.
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4/17/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 96 Points
What more can I say? Exceptional.
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4/3/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 96 Points
So captivating and lacks any of the banality that one can expect from most Californian Chardonnay. So complex and thought provoking. See Previous notes.
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3/26/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 96 Points
Popped, aired and poured after forty-five minutes. Astonishing, this is the best California Chardonnay that I have ever had. Deep brass and gold, with a little straw. A blockbuster on the nose, with pineapple, stone, chalk, Meyer Lemon, honey and spice. Extremely long and seductive, this lurers you in and drags you along the satin. Layered beyond belief with a finish that is over a minute. Enticing, and statuesque; really Old-World with a ripe/new feel. Chablis meets Montrachet, I really have fallen for Santa Cruz Chardonnay, for it is the best AVA in California for this varietal. For the cellar and enjoyable now. Addicting. Drink now - 2020.
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3/25/2011 - Chainthroer wrote: 97 Points
5 stars on this wine. Aromatic whiffs of combined orange and lemon liqueur, apricot, mango, cashew and tropical fruits. No saturation of vanillian here - nicely integrated mild oak. A really elegant and graceful wine. Good acid. Very open at this juncture. Doesn't seem Californian; more Burgundian, but cannot attach a comparative Beaune appellation. Long elegant finish. You could just consume this by itself (make sure to have a designated driver), but it goes well with food (in my case roasted crown pork). Drink the good wine now!
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2/19/2011 - canan Likes this wine: 94 Points
California BYO (@ Terkel): Nice and complex nose with smoke and sweet vanilla and minor notes of honeydew melon, yogurt and glue.
Very fresh palate dominated by exotic fruit and vanilla and a little liquorice in the aftertaste. Great balance.
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2/19/2011 - Terkel wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful yellow color with a youthful greenish hue. Very intense nose with notes of exotic yellow fruits such as lychee, pineapple and passion fruit, as well as ripe yellow plums, oak and burned caramel. On the palate it is very juicy with loads of ripe yellow fruit. Very hedonistic and inviting style, where the fruit stretches through to the finish. On the midpalate notes of creamy caramel and a touch of vanilla adds to the complexity. Great length and striking acidity balances the fruit and sweetness perfectly.
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12/27/2010 - Mr T wrote:
served on Xmas night and did not get to taste but it was devoured quickly....I want more
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12/6/2010 - Mr T wrote:
WOW....What a great chard, crisp, ripe and round all at the same time....fantastic
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