Has improved over the last bottle. Pale yellow, nose of citrus, chalk and a touch of sweetness, but quite chilled which likely covered the nose to some degree. Crisp lemon with trailing hazelnut, minerals and a silky mouthfeel, long finish sprinkled with a micron of powdered sugar. Day one was more Chablis-like but day 2 provided the greater overall satisfaction, picking up body and depth. Fabulous Chardonnay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Relatively light in body. Good purity of fruit balanced against a dose of acidity that's not shy. Reminds me a bit of many Chablis at a similar age. A bit more austere than I would prefer as a glass of wine on its own, but certainly well made and would be outstanding with the right food pairing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Coming together nicely; oak and acidity both present but not overpowering; some richness but not over the top; quite nice and on its way to even better places I'd say
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gold tinted straw color; aromas more generous than 19 months ago with more flowers, pear, even melon to accompany the peripheral vanilla cream noted last time; fresh palate with moderate (compared to the 2013 Trout Gulch bottling) acidity and mouthfeel leaning toward silky; lemon, pear, apple, cream and, later, grapefruit flavors with zest sparking the finish. Minerality was less evident than the last bottle. More depth this time around but not quite as much cut. Love this wine but still think the 2011 was better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very light straw tones. Rather muted nose, just a little zest and green herb. This has nice lift and minerality, with ample freshness. No noticeable oak. I agree with another taster - this compares more to Puligny than Chablis. A welcome style for California chards, hopefully the pendulum will continue to swing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delicate yet appealing aromas that let the citrus fruit shine (no overt oakiness). Indeed, I found those lime-like aromas the most attractive aspect of the wine. Palate is nice, too, if just a tad on the ponderous side of ideal for me, lacking a bit of acidity and complexity. No question though: everyone thought this complemented the Thanksgiving meal really well. As the price approaches premier cru Chablis level (ex-Raveneau and Dauvissat) I find myself weighing future purchases very carefully.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Found a little heavy on a PnP. Two days later showed much better acid and a lighter, more nuanced wine. Still a bit of honey. Forgot about the bottle in my fridge and a week later still going strong. Would decant or sit for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty much as others review it. Citrus and cream nose, lemon and minerals with moderate acidity. Quite lean. May not be quite as good as 2011 but maturity could make a big difference. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had on pick up day and this is my first bottle. Medium straw color. No butter. All minerals n citrus. Still young. Very few ca chards this true to the varietal and on the old world style. Wonderful wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enticing nose of crushed rocks and flowers. Beautifully balanced, honey and pears, perfect acidity. The way Chardonnay should be. Really good value. Kudos to A-R!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From pick-up day. Nose of white flowers and vanilla cream soda. Creamy palate of honeysuckle, crushed rock mild acidity and a slightly oily texture. White flowers on the finish. Neutral oak, Duncan said the vanilla is site specific and not oak driven.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/11/2023 - THECORKDORK Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still fresh 11 years in! AR Chard gets better with age. Lemon curd & hazelnut.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2022 - CGWIND Likes this wine: 90 Points
Surprisingly lean. Lots of Apple and acid. Very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2017 - Onthelees Likes this wine: 92 Points
Has improved over the last bottle. Pale yellow, nose of citrus, chalk and a touch of sweetness, but quite chilled which likely covered the nose to some degree. Crisp lemon with trailing hazelnut, minerals and a silky mouthfeel, long finish sprinkled with a micron of powdered sugar. Day one was more Chablis-like but day 2 provided the greater overall satisfaction, picking up body and depth. Fabulous Chardonnay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2017 - jkline wrote: 90 Points
Good white- More oaky and round. at Mike party
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2017 - vanpe003 wrote:
Relatively light in body. Good purity of fruit balanced against a dose of acidity that's not shy. Reminds me a bit of many Chablis at a similar age. A bit more austere than I would prefer as a glass of wine on its own, but certainly well made and would be outstanding with the right food pairing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2016 - jmw17 wrote:
Coming together nicely; oak and acidity both present but not overpowering; some richness but not over the top; quite nice and on its way to even better places I'd say
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2016 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lemon zest, a bit oily, and acidic. Mid-palate had some softness. Nice wine which should drink well over the next several years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2016 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very well integrated and in balance. Lemon, oily texture, and a solid finish. This wine is in the zone. Suggest drinking now or over next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (Il Foro, Mpls, MN): Small pour. This was very good, lemon,, lemon oil, medium full body, lots of stony minerality, nice texture and balance, lovely. 92+pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2015 - robertek wrote: 88 Points
A disappointment I have to say.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2015 - Onthelees Likes this wine:
Gold tinted straw color; aromas more generous than 19 months ago with more flowers, pear, even melon to accompany the peripheral vanilla cream noted last time; fresh palate with moderate (compared to the 2013 Trout Gulch bottling) acidity and mouthfeel leaning toward silky; lemon, pear, apple, cream and, later, grapefruit flavors with zest sparking the finish. Minerality was less evident than the last bottle. More depth this time around but not quite as much cut. Love this wine but still think the 2011 was better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2015 - keelegl wrote: 94 Points
Really nice. Bright and focused.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2015 - markydecker Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous note. Outstanding, better with about 2-3 hours of air. Buying more next time...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2015 - Chaz Bham wrote: 90 Points
Very light straw tones. Rather muted nose, just a little zest and green herb. This has nice lift and minerality, with ample freshness. No noticeable oak. I agree with another taster - this compares more to Puligny than Chablis. A welcome style for California chards, hopefully the pendulum will continue to swing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2014 - slanum wrote:
Delicate yet appealing aromas that let the citrus fruit shine (no overt oakiness). Indeed, I found those lime-like aromas the most attractive aspect of the wine. Palate is nice, too, if just a tad on the ponderous side of ideal for me, lacking a bit of acidity and complexity. No question though: everyone thought this complemented the Thanksgiving meal really well. As the price approaches premier cru Chablis level (ex-Raveneau and Dauvissat) I find myself weighing future purchases very carefully.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2014 - RMFT wrote: 88 Points
No formal notes. PnP. Apples and lemon, good acidity. Not a ton going on. Maybe a couple more years of bottle age will help out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2014 - amoryb wrote:
Found a little heavy on a PnP. Two days later showed much better acid and a lighter, more nuanced wine. Still a bit of honey. Forgot about the bottle in my fridge and a week later still going strong. Would decant or sit for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2014 - geeky? not sure wrote:
A little bit too under-ripe (which I generally like). Green, green apples. Hoping acidity will settle down a bit. Still tasty, though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2014 - Italiana wrote:
Delicate aromas. Limpid mouthfeel. A little bite on the finish. May benefit from further bottle age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Saline and salt, needing some time but its gonna come. Beautiful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2014 - Onthelees Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty much as others review it. Citrus and cream nose, lemon and minerals with moderate acidity. Quite lean. May not be quite as good as 2011 but maturity could make a big difference. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2013 - Italiana wrote:
Quite lean and restrained with a citrus/acid punch. No butter, butterscotch or other fattening elements to this one!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2013 - jeffreylubowski wrote: 91 Points
Had on pick up day and this is my first bottle. Medium straw color. No butter. All minerals n citrus. Still young. Very few ca chards this true to the varietal and on the old world style. Wonderful wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Savory, with the primary fruit buried in back. Mineral salts. Exciting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2013 - vulgar little monkey wrote: 88 Points
Sharply delineated and of good quality. Racy. Young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2013 - markydecker Likes this wine: 92 Points
Enticing nose of crushed rocks and flowers. Beautifully balanced, honey and pears, perfect acidity. The way Chardonnay should be. Really good value. Kudos to A-R!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2013 - River Rat wrote:
From pick-up day.
Nose of white flowers and vanilla cream soda. Creamy palate of honeysuckle, crushed rock mild acidity and a slightly oily texture. White flowers on the finish. Neutral oak, Duncan said the vanilla is site specific and not oak driven.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment