November 8, 2017 - This bottle has been opened about 10 days and has finally settled down but still displays more of those alcoholic buttery notes of my previous bottle (albeit 4 years ago). It's definitely not elegant and while interesting it's impossible to drink this without sensing something is wrong.
February 14, 2014 - Now this is what most CA Chardonnays aspire to be. Wow - really loved the oak in this one, as it seamlessly added to the richness of the wine. That's not the normal reaction for me. Beautiful.
June 3, 2013 - (Opened a bottle last night and was very disappointed. This has a classic high alcohol California burn with pretty much buttery popcorn as the only flavor profile. 88, but I'm being generous. Not something I would ever drink with pleasure.)
Well-that was then. It took 26 hours for this to open up-amazing, so I am revising my score. Still a little too buttery and alcoholic, but delicious nonetheless. I will see if it further improves on day three, and I will hold off on my other three bottles for a few years.
Third night-now less fruit but also has lost most of the heat. Even better at room temperature.
February 13, 2013 - Initially there was a less forward flavor pattern that was potentially past it's prime ,but opened up beautifully with balanced fruit and an elegance not experienced in previous younger wines that we have opened from this fine producer;will try and leave a few more sleep in the cellar a little longer
April 10, 2012 - improving with time;the initial intense oak and butter settled quickly into a lovely tropical fruit and minerality that was both complex and balanced;terrific drinker
November 13, 2011 - more buttery coating of the mouth and more oak than other tor chard. that we have had; yum
September 26, 2011 - A fabulous, ripe, but complex chardonnay. Superior to the last bottle of the '05, which came from Sonoma and different, more burgundian than the '05 drunk a year ago. Even with all of that fruit and alcohol, this was balanced by minerality, and a deep hazlenut, almond, undertone. It will be interesting to see if this ages, which the '05 didn't (wasn't bad, just lost some zip). 94-95
June 28, 2010 - Golden yellow, aromas of white peaches, pineapple, and tropical fruits. Very rich and buttery on the palate, with slight oak. Very big chard that can improve. 95+ points. 14.7% alcohol, 6 barrels produced.
May 9, 2010 - 14.7% ABV. Medium gold in the glass. Smoky, leesy cereal nose. Rich, full bodied with apple and honey-like flavors. A touch of nutty oak. This is a big flashy Chardonnay. Nice. 93-94+. I didn't get to spend as long with this as I might have liked, but it definitely got my attention.