Medium golden color. Aromas of green apple and natural gas. Earthy flavors of citrus and hazel nutscombined with a pleasant level of acid. Ninety points might be a tad generous and I do beleive this wine is on the decline.
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OK, the fruit still hanging on against encroaching heat. Not as impressive as the last bottle, but still proves the point that CA Chard can develop and age far longer than the conventional wisdom.
Still, this bottle was on the back nine, maybe the 17th hole, and worth enjoying.
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I've had some wonderful wines lately including this one. Opposite of flabby. Subtle and elegant with notes of ocean air, chiffon cake, apple, pear and someone even mentioned cotton candy (but not in sweetness). Nice minerality and acidity. Drinking very well now.
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I think I tried this wine at the Falltacular but that was in the midst of gobs of other wine so I was glad to give it is due on this evening. Great right from the start but also showed a nice evolution over the evening. The wine showed age without being tired. Just a hint of oxidation on the nose. The aromatics are enticing. Smooth palate with nuts, rocks, pears and butterscotch. Everything in balance. At first I thought the finish was ho hum but very acceptable but as the night went on, so did the finish. Not overly steely so it works well on its own but enough bite to easily handle food.
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Enjoyed this bottle in the yard on a beautiful day. Very light and lean is style. Light citrus and hints of apples. Better flavor as the wine gets a little warmer. I appreciate the restrained style, aging quite nicely. Thank Wes!
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Initial Impression: Shy nose. On the palate, distinct apples, yeast and minerals. Acids are nicely in balance, fruit holding strong. Definitely wine of a place, but not the typical Santa Barbara Chards I have had over the years. Very pleasant and somewhat light at this stage.
15 Minutes: the nose has opened to apples and minerals. On the palate, there is a little more depth. This seems to be the time to drink this wine. I think it's great for a hot summer day, not too heavy, very bright with most of the elements working together.
45 Minutes: Holding up very nicely. The finish is long and the wine has held together very nicely. While it might still age gracefully and pick up some of those carmel flavors if the fruit can hold out, I do not know whether this has the stuffing to achieve that exalted level. But it still seems to warrant the same rating other gave this wine 5 years ago, which is saying something for its development and quality.
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Bright disc. Light to medium gold robe with clear rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense mineral, citrus, floral and sawdust aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, with good acidity, modest toasty oak and similar flavors as for the nose. Long, smooth finish. This is a very nice Chardonnay, where the winemaker has allowed the variety to speak. Although it is by no means a light offering, the oak does not overwhelm the fruit.
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2/22/2012 - Lee Fining wrote: 90 Points
Medium golden color. Aromas of green apple and natural gas. Earthy flavors of citrus and hazel nutscombined with a pleasant level of acid. Ninety points might be a tad generous and I do beleive this wine is on the decline.
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1/9/2011 - Granddw wrote: 85 Points
Over the hill
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1/1/2011 - rtarzy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Aged exceptionally well...paired with black bass and brussel sprouts in bacon broth. Very Burgundian...drink in next 6-12 months.
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8/15/2009 - Frank Murray III wrote:
OC KB and Shane Dinner--With Michael Browne and Shane Finley (The Murray Casa): Holding up very well and cruising right along. Some stone fruit, melon and a finish that shows both some slate and spicy edges.
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4/2/2009 - mtennenbaum wrote: 88 Points
OK, the fruit still hanging on against encroaching heat. Not as impressive as the last bottle, but still proves the point that CA Chard can develop and age far longer than the conventional wisdom.
Still, this bottle was on the back nine, maybe the 17th hole, and worth enjoying.
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2/21/2009 - kanab ram wrote:
I've had some wonderful wines lately including this one. Opposite of flabby. Subtle and elegant with notes of ocean air, chiffon cake, apple, pear and someone even mentioned cotton candy (but not in sweetness). Nice minerality and acidity. Drinking very well now.
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12/17/2008 - jasonh wrote: 92 Points
I think I tried this wine at the Falltacular but that was in the midst of gobs of other wine so I was glad to give it is due on this evening. Great right from the start but also showed a nice evolution over the evening. The wine showed age without being tired. Just a hint of oxidation on the nose. The aromatics are enticing. Smooth palate with nuts, rocks, pears and butterscotch. Everything in balance. At first I thought the finish was ho hum but very acceptable but as the night went on, so did the finish. Not overly steely so it works well on its own but enough bite to easily handle food.
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8/3/2008 - Briggs720 wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyed this bottle in the yard on a beautiful day. Very light and lean is style. Light citrus and hints of apples. Better flavor as the wine gets a little warmer. I appreciate the restrained style, aging quite nicely. Thank Wes!
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7/18/2008 - mtennenbaum wrote: 92 Points
Initial Impression: Shy nose. On the palate, distinct apples, yeast and minerals. Acids are nicely in balance, fruit holding strong. Definitely wine of a place, but not the typical Santa Barbara Chards I have had over the years. Very pleasant and somewhat light at this stage.
15 Minutes: the nose has opened to apples and minerals. On the palate, there is a little more depth. This seems to be the time to drink this wine. I think it's great for a hot summer day, not too heavy, very bright with most of the elements working together.
45 Minutes: Holding up very nicely. The finish is long and the wine has held together very nicely. While it might still age gracefully and pick up some of those carmel flavors if the fruit can hold out, I do not know whether this has the stuffing to achieve that exalted level. But it still seems to warrant the same rating other gave this wine 5 years ago, which is saying something for its development and quality.
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6/12/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 92 Points
Bright disc. Light to medium gold robe with clear rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense mineral, citrus, floral and sawdust aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, with good acidity, modest toasty oak and similar flavors as for the nose. Long, smooth finish. This is a very nice Chardonnay, where the winemaker has allowed the variety to speak. Although it is by no means a light offering, the oak does not overwhelm the fruit.
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12/2/2002 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
No oak? Subtle in spades - vague pear fruit, some cinnamon spice. Not impressive.
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12/1/2002 - peternelson wrote: 85 Points
Los Olivos: Very light chard w/a little mineral background, & slight fruit.
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