May 3, 2024 - PnP. Medium light greenish gold. Nose of citrus and sage. On the palate this has nice salinity with citrus notes in the fruit - nice balance between the roundness of the fruit and the acidity on the finish. Drinking well at age 8 but this can clearly go longer.
April 23, 2024 - Medium golden color, has a lovely nose of crushed fruit, touch of red apple; nice medium intensity on the palate, has the typical touch of Alpine “honey”, not in a sweet way, but in its richness. If only there was a bit more salinity, but that’s not a trait I find as much in the Rhys Chards.
April 23, 2024 - My first impression was that this was over the hill. Gold colored with oxidative notes.
After 30 minutes open:
Nose has a heavy lemon/cinnamon/honey note that isn’t bad but is unexpected.
Palate is rich, viscous, and full body. I have a hard time believing the 12.7% abv on the label.
Acidity seems low but not to the point of flabby.
Overall I’d say this is disappointing.
Purchased directly from the winery and stored in a temperature controlled cellar at 57 degrees since then.
April 18, 2024 - From 375. Really really lovely.
March 17, 2024 - Pop and pour. Intense spice on the nose, followed by ripe orchard fruit, citrus pith, minerality and salinity. Generous mouthfeel, with balanced acidity and a superb finish. Definitely needs some time to open up, and continued to improve over 2 hours. Very good.
Medium gold colour.
Pronounced aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, baked apple, apple crisp, ripe pear, toasted almonds, yellow apple peel, vanilla, lemon confit, wet stone, crushed oyster shells, sea foam.
Pronounced palate.
Medium body, high acidity, long finish.
March 3, 2024 - Medium honey gold color, I get a light dose of SO2 to start on the nose, the. Some yeasty bread notes, crushed fruit, honeysuckle; the palate starts slowly, intensity rising through the mid palate, with lovely medium rich stone fruit, transitioning to more stony minerality, then saline, and even some tidepool notes. A fabulous Chardonnay, nothing else approaches it domestically.
August 16, 2023 - I enjoyed this wine but it was not as standout to me as it seems with others. I am in search of domestic chardonnays that rival the premier crus+ of Burgundy, and for me this wasn’t it though it did have a lot more refinement than many other California chardonnays. It was not as bright, did not have the cacophony of flavors, the complexity, or the body I was looking for. It was lovely, but soft and I was left wanting a bit more power.
July 30, 2023 - -- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over two days --
NOSE: rich, moderately oaky lemon.
BODY: cork soaked halfway; medium yellow color; medium-full bodied.
TASTE: fruit is medium+ rich, but not overdone; solid wall of mineral supporting; this is pretty good; 12.7% alc. not noticeable; Burg.-like. Day 2: fruitier than Day 1; still excellent.
May 28, 2023 - BeautifuI! Intense nose of lemon, guava, banana chips, and a whiff of toasty almonds. Lovely restrained citrus notes in the mouth coupled with hints of parsley/cilantro and just a touch of oaky creaminess. Balanced and harmonious. Drinking very well now but will develop further. Top-notch Chardonnay.
May 23, 2023 - PnP, last bottle. Starts with aromas of pineapple, tart green apple, lemon, citrus , and nutmeg, Medium to full bodied. Lots of flavors with pineapple, green apple, citrus, floral, minerals, spice, a touch of oak. Long smooth finish. In a really good place now, but no hurry to open.