Deeper gold color; yes, I love the producer but this wine seemed to be in a phase before the winemaker adjusted his style for the better, tons of butterscotch, rich, heavy, sweet vanilla, hazelnut, loads of buttered movie popcorn; palate is super rich and though there is some acid it is not enough for the richness of the wine, a bit cloying affecting drinkability, hard to finish a half glass let alone a bottle; a shame since I love the producer and especially this bottling ('07 onward).
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I love the texture of this wine on the palate. Apple and spice on the nose. A nice shot of acid balances out the vanilla and honey on the palate. Nice finish. My first experience with this wine. I only have one more bottle - but looking for more.
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Full nose is assertive and crammed with rich white, smoke, charred oak. With air it settles down and offers layers of flavor and texture. Palate follows suit. Rich and toasty. But balanced for such a big, delicious wine.
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One of the more interesting California Chardonnays I've had in a while. The nose is fascinating, rocks, earth and a Pinot-like funk. Flavors are a mix of pears, apricots and creme brûlée with some mineral tones weaving throughout. There is a layer of mouth coating viscocity that makes this a textural joy. There is some tartness still to the acidity that adds some interest. I can see some folks not being all that jazzed by this bottle, but i'm digging it because it is very atypical California Chardonnay. Thrilled I have several left, I think this could get more interesting.
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Paired with leftover butternut squash risotto and roast chicken. Clear, gold color, great pineapple/oak nose, crystal clear fruit on the palate, butter on the back side, with a balance of acid. Really great.
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I opened this wine yesterday and was concerned about the nose. It seem heavily oaked. Maybe a bad bottle? The barrel must've been toasted heavily. The wine was very oaky and smokey. Wasn't able to finish the bottle. I am hoping the other bottles will show better.
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Still the benchmark for balanced CA Chardonnay and our favorite house white wine. Just enough oak to balance the sweet pear and honey character of this beautiful wine. Can last another 5 years or so.
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Like many CA chards, not the best food wine, but an excellent example of a great CA Chardonnay. Golden color, huge nose, fantastic oak and butter flavors. Not devoid of acid, but not enough for food. Still a fantastic wine.
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Golden color with knock-out aromatics - rich apples, honey and oak spice. Palate is round and full bodied with acidity providing lift, freshness and length. This is a really nice cali chard in a full throttle style.
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Well I wish I did not read some of the other reviews on this wine before I drank it. After we opened for lunch all I could think about was the burnt popcorn nose. It is heavy on the buttery side I tend to enjoy this style of chard. This is a full body chard from cal but it is different I do not agree in saying this is typical California chardonnay. Paired really good with lobster ravioli in a heavy tomato cream sauce.
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i despise burnt popcorn aromas in wine and this has them. Ive tried the 02 & 05 now and they are nearly identical. not for me and it would be unfair for me to score.
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Touch of citrus with toasty oak predominating, yielding to a ripe, balanced moutful of citrus and vanilla. Medium to long finish. Aging some bottles to see where this goes.
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1/18/2020 - DBenke wrote: 93 Points
Rich delicious. Somewhat surprised. Not showing over the hill at all.
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10/17/2015 - Rezy13 wrote: 88 Points
Deeper gold color; yes, I love the producer but this wine seemed to be in a phase before the winemaker adjusted his style for the better, tons of butterscotch, rich, heavy, sweet vanilla, hazelnut, loads of buttered movie popcorn; palate is super rich and though there is some acid it is not enough for the richness of the wine, a bit cloying affecting drinkability, hard to finish a half glass let alone a bottle; a shame since I love the producer and especially this bottling ('07 onward).
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6/1/2011 - nospeel wrote: 90 Points
Drink up! My second bottle... It does improve with a little air.
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1/23/2011 - nospeel wrote: 92 Points
I love the texture of this wine on the palate. Apple and spice on the nose. A nice shot of acid balances out the vanilla and honey on the palate. Nice finish. My first experience with this wine. I only have one more bottle - but looking for more.
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12/17/2010 - tim_c wrote: flawed
Mercaptain, same as I experienced with the '04. Dam it, dam it to hell
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12/17/2010 - tim_c wrote: flawed
Mercaptain, same as I experienced with the '04
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6/7/2010 - LARich wrote: 93 Points
Still beautiful and can last another 2 years
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6/5/2010 - Nanda wrote: 92 Points
Full nose is assertive and crammed with rich white, smoke, charred oak. With air it settles down and offers layers of flavor and texture. Palate follows suit. Rich and toasty. But balanced for such a big, delicious wine.
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4/1/2010 - tim_c wrote: 92 Points
One of the more interesting California Chardonnays I've had in a while. The nose is fascinating, rocks, earth and a Pinot-like funk. Flavors are a mix of pears, apricots and creme brûlée with some mineral tones weaving throughout. There is a layer of mouth coating viscocity that makes this a textural joy. There is some tartness still to the acidity that adds some interest. I can see some folks not being all that jazzed by this bottle, but i'm digging it because it is very atypical California Chardonnay. Thrilled I have several left, I think this could get more interesting.
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8/30/2009 - slogan wrote: 93 Points
Paired with leftover butternut squash risotto and roast chicken. Clear, gold color, great pineapple/oak nose, crystal clear fruit on the palate, butter on the back side, with a balance of acid. Really great.
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8/28/2009 - lathrope wrote: 69 Points
I opened this wine yesterday and was concerned about the nose. It seem heavily oaked. Maybe a bad bottle? The barrel must've been toasted heavily. The wine was very oaky and smokey. Wasn't able to finish the bottle. I am hoping the other bottles will show better.
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8/22/2009 - LARich wrote: 92 Points
Still the benchmark for balanced CA Chardonnay and our favorite house white wine. Just enough oak to balance the sweet pear and honey character of this beautiful wine. Can last another 5 years or so.
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7/18/2009 - slogan wrote: 92 Points
Like many CA chards, not the best food wine, but an excellent example of a great CA Chardonnay. Golden color, huge nose, fantastic oak and butter flavors. Not devoid of acid, but not enough for food. Still a fantastic wine.
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6/13/2009 - Brsed wrote: 92 Points
Bonsoiree restaurant, no formal notes. Very pleasant wine. Good fruit--apples and citrus. There is a nice crispness here also.
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4/26/2009 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Golden color with knock-out aromatics - rich apples, honey and oak spice. Palate is round and full bodied with acidity providing lift, freshness and length. This is a really nice cali chard in a full throttle style.
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4/4/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote:
No Score given - Bottle was slightly off. However, I had this bottle previously and scored it 92.
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2/24/2009 - moonmanvegas wrote: 91 Points
Well I wish I did not read some of the other reviews on this wine before I drank it. After we opened for lunch all I could think about was the burnt popcorn nose. It is heavy on the buttery side I tend to enjoy this style of chard. This is a full body chard from cal but it is different I do not agree in saying this is typical California chardonnay. Paired really good with lobster ravioli in a heavy tomato cream sauce.
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2/7/2009 - jwebtx wrote:
i despise burnt popcorn aromas in wine and this has them. Ive tried the 02 & 05 now and they are nearly identical. not for me and it would be unfair for me to score.
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9/25/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 90 Points
Apple-y, oaky, nutty. Good concentration, but not a terribly complex bottle.
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9/10/2008 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Flickinger Wines customer Appreciation Tasting (The Racquet Club, Chicago): Pale yellow color. Aromas of apple and burnt popcorn kernels. Lovely apple and citrus flavors, along with subtle butter, popcorn and oak notes. Lengthy finish.
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5/13/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 91 Points
Touch of citrus with toasty oak predominating, yielding to a ripe, balanced moutful of citrus and vanilla. Medium to long finish. Aging some bottles to see where this goes.
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