Community Tasting Notes 34

• depechemoroder Likes this wine: 94 points

  August 2, 2015 - Absolutely delicious. The spices hit me before the fruits, and perhaps that had something to do with the pairing of a Morrocan savoury pie. Cinnnamon, cloves, Chinese five-sprice, honey, dates, an almost baklava-like intensity of roasted nuts, buttery pastry and honey. Then the fruit comes - apricot, nectarine, peach, lemon, mandarin, hints of spiced and roasted pineapple. This balance between sweet exotic spices and fresh fruit really peaks on the upper middle palate and finishes with a very bright acidity and a wonderfully spicy back palate of tropical fruit and Indian spices. Beautifully complex but so much fresh fruit and acidity that I wonder if this has further development ahead. Napa Chardonnay at its best.

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• depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 points

  November 10, 2013 - This wine is at its peak and delicious. Rich and opulent while refreshing. Fruit and complexity, oak is well integrated, acidity still there. These all make for magical drink. Big nose of pineapple, mango, dried white stone fruits, Christmas spice from the oak, brioche, and a 'peaches and cream' quality. Also hints of marzipan and a general nuttiness. On the palate that rich tropical fruit comes strong, but on the middle palate more restrained fruits dominate - lemon, quince, peach. Nutty finish of almonds and a touch of spice. This is complemented by a wonderfully refreshing acidity. No hint of oxidation here, but it is very mature.I reckon this will go a few years longer (due to the acidity and oalk), but will evolve with more dried fruits and rich nuttiness. There is an ideal blend of complexity and freshness here at the moment so for my palate, this is a point.

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• The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 points

  June 10, 2013 - Retail $45. I got this a while ago and this was another wine that I feared that I might have held on to for too long. No need to worry, this has held up wonderfully. Pale yellow color of a wine half its age, the tropical fruit leapt out of the glass and danced on the tongue, with a tartness on the finish that accentuated the meal. Sure, there was some oak, but it was nicely integrated, exhibiting what California Chards can and should be. Excellent. 90-92 Points.
  
  www.thedrunkencyclist.com

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• dxpian wrote: 93 points

  April 28, 2012 - Deeply golden and nectar colors showing elegance and finesse. Fresh aromas of pineapple, peach, mango and fig accompanied by a refined bouquet of sweet oak, almond and hazelnut. Full-bodied wine, rich and luscious, with abundance of pineapple, apple, ripe pear and still fresh and acidic kiwi and tangerine notes, leading to a structure of acidic and heat forming an elevated and powerful mid-palate. A very-well balanced effort showing great harmony between exuberant fruit, bright acidity, appropriate heat and power. Medium finish, with pear and tangerine lingering blended with acidity and an undertone of hazelnut. It is amazing how the big-name critics could be so wrong about this wine. Yes, the cedary oak may have "robbed the apple and pear flavors of a chance to shine" at the time of its first release, but this is definitely a vivid example how time can transform a bottle of Napa Valley Chardonnay! Drinking very nice now and peaking. May continue to shine for another year or two given its elevated structure.

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• R T wrote: 88 points

  November 24, 2011 - Fruity but somewhat tart. The wine was definitely past it's prime. I had enjoyed this same wine three years earlier and it was perfect.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2005
• Type White
• Producer Grgich Hills
• Varietal Chardonnay
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Napa Valley
• Appellation Napa Valley
• UPC Codes 047156103759, 047156107504

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 261 (38%)
• Consumed 427 (62%)

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