January 20, 2024 - Transparent gold color. Cinnamon apple sauce on the nose. Medium body, medium acid. Lots of apples on the palate. Initially a bit bitter, but improved with time in the glass. Rich baked apples and nice salinity on the finish, perhaps salted caramel. Well balanced, the acid holds everything together.
November 18, 2023 - The 2008 Alpine i had a few months ago was a better bottle than this 2009, but there could’ve been some bottle or storage variation as I bought both at auction. That said, this 2009 was still excellent. It poured a light to medium gold and its nose was classic aged lemon. Medium bodied, some initial hazelnut showing the wine’s age, followed by honeysuckle and light lemon.
August 25, 2023 - Overly acidic....fruit is gone
January 23, 2023 - Big , beautiful dark Chardonnay - not a ton going on the nose - but on the palate its large scales, on the ripe side with lots of long tropicals, really hard to put on the glass down!
October 5, 2022 - Better than my last two aged Rhys Chards which were so dark and over the hill that they ended up in the sink, but this one is headed in that direction. Still scored it because unlike the other two it was drinkable and we will finish the bottle. Ultimately, it seems like cutting it a break by calling it flawed so that the number doesn't enter the average score seems inappropriate for a high-priced wine billed as very ageable that was bought at release and stored well. I did rate the other two that were much further gone as flawed. Disappointing.
February 19, 2022 - Cloudy pale gold color. Nice forest, brioche nose. Clarified butter, popcorn earthy-ness, sharp acid finish. Going strong at 13 years.
February 7, 2022 - Deep gold. Mature notes on the nose of hazelnut, earth, and dried lemon peel. The palate is round and fleshy, and while it lacks the acidic snap of most vintages, it's got enough lift and freshness to keep it from being ponderous. Long finish shows some pear fruit that isn't evident on the nose, along with some of the nuttiness and citrus. Very enjoyable, certainly fully mature.
May 22, 2021 - A wonderful bottle kicking on all cylinders. Very pretty nose with orchard fruit, butter, toffee, Tonka bean. Beautiful. Medium weight, rich mouthfeel but light on its feet. Palate showing citrus and minerals that cut through the fat. Great balance. Good finish. Day 2 - still great. Will keep, but just so good right now.
May 9, 2021 - Meh, showing signs of age, maybe too much.
April 24, 2021 - A Great Day for Chardonnay: Poured in jars for transport and consumed 2 hours later. WOW! Not sure if this is bottle variation or if this wine is just this good! WOTN for me and the group, and up against some stiff competition! This was served blind, and I guessed it to be a Marcassin. It was rich, buttery, with exceptional complexity, including notes of Meyers Lemon, apple, honeydew, with some limestone and a hint of salinity, all wrapped in some toasted oak. No problem giving this wine 96 points....a pleasure to drink!