2012 Fess Parker Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 89.5 points

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  8/26/2015 - DaveZack Likes this wine: 89 Points

  We received this bottle from Fess’ wine club in November, 2013. This is the second time we’ve received a Sierra Madre Chardonnay (located in the relatively cool region of the Santa Maria Valley); the first vintage we received was from the 2010 vintage (which I scored as 92 points). Let’s see how the 2012 vintage “chimes-in.”
  The bouquet is mostly cream and earth, with a slight essence of oak. No particular element “stands-out.”
  Flavor-wise, this is not your typical tropical- and stone fruit-pitted Cali Chard. Instead, there’s a mostly pear and apple essence. After those white fruits, white pepper becomes the second most prominent element in the flavor profile. Once the pear, apple, and white pepper essence fades, there is a VERY slight suggestion of tropical fruits that dance on the palate. In addition, there’s another slight essence of dried herbs, as well as a rich, creamy oakiness that is very well-balanced and integrated with the fruit profile. Next (and last) up to the plate is a slight/suggestive minerality essence. The white pepper, oak, earth, minerals, and fruit are very food-friendly/palate-cleansing, making this Cali Chard a VERY food-friendly white. This wine is also very well-structured, with smooth/elegant tannins that are cohesively well-integrated with the wine’s acidity. This is a medium-bodied, rich, creamy, not-too-ripe, rich, food-friendly Cali Chard that is still relatively young.
  This wine paired beautifully with one of my “Usual White Suspects” (baked chicken thighs spiced with CostCo’s “Simply Asian” spice blend). This wine would also pair well with most light-to-medium-bodied white fish dishes. This wine is drinking perfectly-well right now and should continue to age/mature gracefully for another 2-to-3 years.

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  3/7/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 90 Points

  Blind California Chardonnays (My Place - Washington, DC): Medium gold color. Rich aromatics of cantaloupe, yellow apple, honey and floral perfume. Rich texture is framed by medium acid. Full of yellow apple, white peach and cantaloupe flavors, dusted with coconut, vanilla and pistachio nuts. I get a note that reminds me of musk and fresh baby’s breath, and a sea salt note on the finish. Bold and rich, but presents itself well and shows a lot of complex flavors. Long, creamy finish. 50% new French oak.

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