A very nice bottle of aged Chardonnay. Green/yellow apple/pear fruit, mint, vanilla well integrated, plenty of acid, just a hint of that pretty hazelnut patina aged Chard gets (and which is so different from the rancio almond nuttiness that oxidized Chardonnay shows).
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Like the other bottles, the cork broke during removal and the wine was poured thorugh a strainer. No cork taste in the wine however.
I forgot I had this still in the cellar. Too bad. The wine is now well into fading and lacks the glory I tasted only 18 months ago. While still a pretty golden yellow, the nuance is gone and the wine tastes very simple.
Tonight, the wine is an 84 by my palate.
Wine opened up after 20 minutes or so. Stil not what it was but lots of hints of what it was. Now an 88.
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Bottle variation continued, with first bottle oxidized but second was just fine, showing good color, expressive fruit, solid finsh - that nice new/old world combo of Mt. Eden. Drink up. A-
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This bottle blew the top off of any California chardonnay ever. Thirteen years after bottling, it had matured to a deep golden hue and presented a complex of citrus, carmel, and honey the like of which I have never tasted in any wine, period. I opened the bottle to celebrate my son's high school graduation. The party included a long-time aficionado of California chards; a Burgundy snob who eschewed all new world wines; and some genuinely open-minded lovers of wine. All were astonished. This was the 24th of two cases of the 2000, and it eclipsed the first 23. Having been in the trade for 10 years, and a serious wine drinker for 20, I still don't believe I have the breadth to give 100 points. But this Mt. Eden is my new benchmark -- no white will ever get my perfect score without surpassing this wine.
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CELLAR SELECTION! Stunning in balance, power, grace, and purity. The color is a true gold with a clarity rarely found in other Chardonnays. Everyone at the tasting commented on the beauty of the color - many were quite surprised. The nose and palate are the epitome of balance with tropical fruits, touches of light oak and butter, perfect acidity, and a supremely long (2 minute) finish. This is IMHO the greatest Chardonnay being made in the USA.
$99.99 OH retail - 1.5 Liter www.austinbeeman.com
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A second bottle showed lighter gold color, and somewhat restrained on open, but then after an hour in the glass it opened up nicely. Elegant in style, good with food, and clearly a much better bottle than the last, so some bottle variation here. Drink up. A-
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Fill was a bit low. Medium-dark gold color. I think this was a slightly off bottle, but still not bad. With some air, this showed okay. A little sherry, but not oxidized as in over the hill. Try another bottle soon. B+
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Note while the bottle did not taste corked or defective, the cork from 2 different bottles crumbled while removing, so the wine was strained into a decanter.
Other than the cork, the wine is not tasting old at all. Others can describe this wine better than I. Lacks the minerality of similar styled Burgundy. Also, minimal bouquet. All in all still a great wine other that the cork
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Important Note: This bottle was marked K&L Cuvee -- it appears to be the exact same, but unclear.
Slightly golden, buttery, nuts, heavy toasted oak. Acidity still there, but no fruit to speak of. (Don't know where folks are getting pineapple, maybe I get a bit of lemon.) Wine seems to have held up well, and was well made for what it was, just not my style. I would definitely drink this now, and not wait any longer -- it will not improve.
Not a fan of CA Chardonnay, so take this with that in mind.
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Yellow Color was slightly darkened but in no way over the hill, cork drying out was a small issue with my bottle. Fresh acidity with lemon armoas, slightly toasty oak and moderately long finish. I would drink 2011 to 2014.
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Agree that this is at peak... drink now. This was our last one, so for once we have perfect timing. :) Deep gold, apple, pineapple, nut vapors... very, very nice.
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At the absolute peak. It cannot get better. See my previous tasting note. Maybe a little hint of nuttiness, but at the top of the hill, not over it.Pineapple, lemon curd. still balanced.
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Deep golden color, evolved and fully integrated flavors of butter, caramel, nuts, and ripe pineapple. A good acidic core provided balance. This is a sensational, fully developed, gracefully matured Chardonnay. Glad to have a couple bottles left in the cellar!
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I was not as enamored of this as others. Yes it was good and taking into account it's age, it showed well. The color was a gold/green. The nose was sherried, nutty, lemony, and stony. The palate was a bit muted, and the acidity seemed out of balance. The length was fine, but the wine seemed to be on a downward track for lack of fruit and lushness. Good, but not as great as the hype.
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Agree with other CT notes. This wine has become outstanding, with a striking deep gold color, well-integrated oak and excellent balance of fruit and acid. Glad to have a handful of these left.
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Deep yellow, with nose of CA Chard. Very bright fruit, and quite a bit of integrated, but visible, oak. Very good acidity. This is a wine with years ahead of it. Outstanding.
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Served with grilled scallops and a not-too-spicy remoulade sauce. Deep gold in color. Lovely nose of roasted nuts and lemon. Rich and full-bodied with great flavors of apple, minerals and baking spice. Some evidence of oak and acid remain, but these are largely resolved. Long, expansive finish. This is drinkiing very well now. Given the color and the development, I plan to drink my remaning bottles sooner rather than later.
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The first thing that jumps out regarding this wine is the color. It is deep, vibrant gold, almost like a ripe pineapple. It is also a clue of what is to come... a rich nose of lemon curd, butterscotch and some smoky notes. The palate is similarly rich, with butter, apple pie, and some toast. But the oak is well-absorbed, and there is enough acidity to keep it from getting flabby. Long finish, too. Excellent for the style, but needs rich food.
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absolutely loved this wine. Oak and butter for sure, but lots of fruit, perfect acidity, and a long finish. A classic, and I'm physched to have 11 bottles left.
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This wine has woken up a good deal from my last TN of 2/2006. Nose of green apples and spice, good mouth feel, and much more oak than I recalled when I first tried this wine in 2004. The oak obscures the darker nut oil qualities I tasted back then, and tends to overwhelm the other elements such as minerality. Well, as in February, I continue to hope the wine is evolving and will emerge on the other side in great balance. We'll see....
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I thought I'd add this note simply to say that, to my palate, this wine is not performing as it did some time ago. I think it may well be shut down as it simply seems to have had the volume turned way down on all of its components. I can appreciate all of its attributes, described by other CellarTrackers, Parker and Tanzer in their own ways, but they are quite muted. Very different from when I first tried this wine back about one year ago. Does this wine shut down? I'll let it sleep for a while and find out.... I can't believe its simply given up the ghost! Not rated.
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2002 Red Burgudy Tasting (Thyme - Chicago): Nose: Smoky with beautiful bacon fat tone - rich and lush Palate: Big wine with lots going on. Earthy entry with toasty element in concentrated soft lush style. Bursting with flavors of rich round apple fruit and some buttery notes. Nice balancing acidity under layers of fruit. Finishes with soft long toasty quality. Some found it almost to buttery and oaky, but I thought it well made and reasonably complex.
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Three things to admit. 1. I don't like Chardonnay. 2. I bought this purely on Parker's score (94). 3. I really like this wine. I am turned off by Cali Chards because the overwhelming butter and oakiness obliterate any other nuances. This wine is a real exception. The nose shows roasted hazelnuts, chalk, and some butter. The palate is of medium weight with tastes of lemon pie, toasted sesame oil, and pine resin. Best of all the wine shows a persistent acid core that provides some real structure.
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3/26/2022 - coremill wrote: 90 Points
A very nice bottle of aged Chardonnay. Green/yellow apple/pear fruit, mint, vanilla well integrated, plenty of acid, just a hint of that pretty hazelnut patina aged Chard gets (and which is so different from the rancio almond nuttiness that oxidized Chardonnay shows).
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9/12/2015 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 94 Points
Crisp, flavors of citrus, lemon, delicious from a 3L party boy btl.
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10/11/2014 - oldwines wrote: flawed
Badly oxidized. Cork crumbled
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12/21/2013 - cglex wrote: 88 Points
Like the other bottles, the cork broke during removal and the wine was poured thorugh a strainer. No cork taste in the wine however.
I forgot I had this still in the cellar. Too bad. The wine is now well into fading and lacks the glory I tasted only 18 months ago. While still a pretty golden yellow, the nuance is gone and the wine tastes very simple.
Tonight, the wine is an 84 by my palate.
Wine opened up after 20 minutes or so. Stil not what it was but lots of hints of what it was. Now an 88.
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6/27/2013 - MC wrote:
Bottle variation continued, with first bottle oxidized but second was just fine, showing good color, expressive fruit, solid finsh - that nice new/old world combo of Mt. Eden. Drink up. A-
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6/8/2013 - JeffE27 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth well balanced long finish
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6/3/2013 - eudora Likes this wine: 99 Points
This bottle blew the top off of any California chardonnay ever. Thirteen years after bottling, it had matured to a deep golden hue and presented a complex of citrus, carmel, and honey the like of which I have never tasted in any wine, period. I opened the bottle to celebrate my son's high school graduation. The party included a long-time aficionado of California chards; a Burgundy snob who eschewed all new world wines; and some genuinely open-minded lovers of wine. All were astonished. This was the 24th of two cases of the 2000, and it eclipsed the first 23. Having been in the trade for 10 years, and a serious wine drinker for 20, I still don't believe I have the breadth to give 100 points. But this Mt. Eden is my new benchmark -- no white will ever get my perfect score without surpassing this wine.
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5/26/2013 - austinbeeman- austinbeeman.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
CELLAR SELECTION!
Stunning in balance, power, grace, and purity.
The color is a true gold with a clarity rarely found in other Chardonnays. Everyone at the tasting commented on the beauty of the color - many were quite surprised. The nose and palate are the epitome of balance with tropical fruits, touches of light oak and butter, perfect acidity, and a supremely long (2 minute) finish. This is IMHO the greatest Chardonnay being made in the USA.
$99.99 OH retail - 1.5 Liter
www.austinbeeman.com
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3/31/2013 - MC wrote:
A second bottle showed lighter gold color, and somewhat restrained on open, but then after an hour in the glass it opened up nicely. Elegant in style, good with food, and clearly a much better bottle than the last, so some bottle variation here. Drink up. A-
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3/29/2013 - MC wrote:
Fill was a bit low. Medium-dark gold color. I think this was a slightly off bottle, but still not bad. With some air, this showed okay. A little sherry, but not oxidized as in over the hill. Try another bottle soon. B+
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7/6/2012 - cglex wrote: 93 Points
Note while the bottle did not taste corked or defective, the cork from 2 different bottles crumbled while removing, so the wine was strained into a decanter.
Other than the cork, the wine is not tasting old at all. Others can describe this wine better than I. Lacks the minerality of similar styled Burgundy. Also, minimal bouquet. All in all still a great wine other that the cork
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3/17/2012 - mmmbas wrote:
Really over the hill. Perhaps will try to let it air out and warm a little
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1/13/2012 - jmottern wrote: 94 Points
Smooth and balanced with hints of pears. this great wine is good on its own or with a nice fish dish. Sure wish I would have purchased more.
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1/7/2012 - stephenv wrote: 87 Points
Important Note: This bottle was marked K&L Cuvee -- it appears to be the exact same, but unclear.
Slightly golden, buttery, nuts, heavy toasted oak. Acidity still there, but no fruit to speak of. (Don't know where folks are getting pineapple, maybe I get a bit of lemon.) Wine seems to have held up well, and was well made for what it was, just not my style. I would definitely drink this now, and not wait any longer -- it will not improve.
Not a fan of CA Chardonnay, so take this with that in mind.
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8/13/2011 - LelouchViBritannia wrote: 92 Points
Yellow Color was slightly darkened but in no way over the hill, cork drying out was a small issue with my bottle. Fresh acidity with lemon armoas, slightly toasty oak and moderately long finish. I would drink 2011 to 2014.
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8/11/2010 - TheOtherPoster wrote: 91 Points
Agree that this is at peak... drink now. This was our last one, so for once we have perfect timing. :) Deep gold, apple, pineapple, nut vapors... very, very nice.
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8/8/2010 - eudora wrote: 94 Points
At the absolute peak. It cannot get better. See my previous tasting note. Maybe a little hint of nuttiness, but at the top of the hill, not over it.Pineapple, lemon curd. still balanced.
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2/19/2010 - SteveHyde wrote:
beautiful. has gained in depth and complexity over the years. sorry to see my last bottle go.
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10/10/2009 - eudora wrote: 94 Points
Deep golden color, evolved and fully integrated flavors of butter, caramel, nuts, and ripe pineapple. A good acidic core provided balance. This is a sensational, fully developed, gracefully matured Chardonnay. Glad to have a couple bottles left in the cellar!
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6/5/2009 - mebydef wrote: 90 Points
I was not as enamored of this as others. Yes it was good and taking into account it's age, it showed well. The color was a gold/green. The nose was sherried, nutty, lemony, and stony. The palate was a bit muted, and the acidity seemed out of balance. The length was fine, but the wine seemed to be on a downward track for lack of fruit and lushness. Good, but not as great as the hype.
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4/19/2009 - TheOtherPoster wrote: 91 Points
Agree with other CT notes. This wine has become outstanding, with a striking deep gold color, well-integrated oak and excellent balance of fruit and acid. Glad to have a handful of these left.
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3/23/2009 - Colima74 wrote: 90 Points
Deep yellow, with nose of CA Chard. Very bright fruit, and quite a bit of integrated, but visible, oak. Very good acidity. This is a wine with years ahead of it. Outstanding.
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12/29/2008 - Margauxguy wrote: 90 Points
Nice, a bit of bacon fat, golen color, sweet, tropical fruits, drink over the next couple of years
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11/6/2008 - DenisLee wrote:
I figured I better drink this one up after reading the reviews. What a nice bottle it was.
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10/5/2008 - scottj wrote: 92 Points
Served with grilled scallops and a not-too-spicy remoulade sauce. Deep gold in color. Lovely nose of roasted nuts and lemon. Rich and full-bodied with great flavors of apple, minerals and baking spice. Some evidence of oak and acid remain, but these are largely resolved. Long, expansive finish. This is drinkiing very well now. Given the color and the development, I plan to drink my remaning bottles sooner rather than later.
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3/8/2008 - stjames wrote: 90 Points
getting old
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8/3/2007 - stjames wrote: 92 Points
time to drink up, but a big chardonnay
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7/11/2007 - SteveHyde wrote:
delicious. Seems to be coming into its prime. Depth, structure, tropical fruits, honey and floral notes. Really lovely.
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5/2/2007 - mjpaustin wrote:
The first thing that jumps out regarding this wine is the color. It is deep, vibrant gold, almost like a ripe pineapple. It is also a clue of what is to come... a rich nose of lemon curd, butterscotch and some smoky notes. The palate is similarly rich, with butter, apple pie, and some toast. But the oak is well-absorbed, and there is enough acidity to keep it from getting flabby. Long finish, too. Excellent for the style, but needs rich food.
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2/21/2007 - Wop wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful.
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2/12/2007 - stjames wrote: 95 Points
absolutely loved this wine. Oak and butter for sure, but lots of fruit, perfect acidity, and a long finish. A classic, and I'm physched to have 11 bottles left.
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10/7/2006 - TheOtherPoster wrote:
This wine has woken up a good deal from my last TN of 2/2006. Nose of green apples and spice, good mouth feel, and much more oak than I recalled when I first tried this wine in 2004. The oak obscures the darker nut oil qualities I tasted back then, and tends to overwhelm the other elements such as minerality. Well, as in February, I continue to hope the wine is evolving and will emerge on the other side in great balance. We'll see....
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2/21/2006 - TheOtherPoster wrote:
I thought I'd add this note simply to say that, to my palate, this wine is not performing as it did some time ago. I think it may well be shut down as it simply seems to have had the volume turned way down on all of its components. I can appreciate all of its attributes, described by other CellarTrackers, Parker and Tanzer in their own ways, but they are quite muted. Very different from when I first tried this wine back about one year ago. Does this wine shut down? I'll let it sleep for a while and find out.... I can't believe its simply given up the ghost! Not rated.
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7/17/2005 - KenK wrote: 94 Points
2002 Red Burgudy Tasting (Thyme - Chicago): Nose: Smoky with beautiful bacon fat tone - rich and lush
Palate: Big wine with lots going on. Earthy entry with toasty element in concentrated soft lush style. Bursting with flavors of rich round apple fruit and some buttery notes. Nice balancing acidity under layers of fruit. Finishes with soft long toasty quality. Some found it almost to buttery and oaky, but I thought it well made and reasonably complex.
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11/24/2004 - Jason wrote: 92 Points
Three things to admit. 1. I don't like Chardonnay. 2. I bought this purely on Parker's score (94). 3. I really like this wine. I am turned off by Cali Chards because the overwhelming butter and oakiness obliterate any other nuances. This wine is a real exception. The nose shows roasted hazelnuts, chalk, and some butter. The palate is of medium weight with tastes of lemon pie, toasted sesame oil, and pine resin. Best of all the wine shows a persistent acid core that provides some real structure.
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