Drinking deliciously - plan B after a corked Mersault. Some oak on the nose, but not so much on the palate. High alcohol masked by the fruit - well balanced.
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Initially opened last night, where I enjoyed a few glasses and recorked the wine. Tasting note from 1-2 days later. The color is clear in appearance, with a pale/med lemon-green color, fading to a watery rim. The nose is in good condition, in a developing stage, showing med intensity notes of green apple, pineapple, lemon curd, and peaty notes in the upper register. The palate shows a dry wine, med(+) in alcohol, and med(+) in body, offering up med(+) intensity flavors of melon, passion fruit, citrusy lemon, and pineapple, with a bit of chalk and rocks showing up near the end. The wine possesses med acidity, and shows some light oak-derived tannins, leading into the med(+) length, apple, honey and chalk finish. This is a very good quality wine that has aged nicely for 5 years, and is in a perfect drinking window right now. I would estimate another 2-3 years of enjoyable drinking, but why wait? It is a bit opulent and lush in the mid palate, and has gorgeous finishing tension.
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citrus, melon, nice acidity, very nice, more complex flavors and integrated acidity and bottles tasted last year earlier before. They improve for another year.
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Less integrated than the last bottle, with spicy oak and lemony acidity taking front stage. Hoping for a repeat performance of the 1st bottle and did not happen.
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Pop and pour - note after 3 hours. Melon, apple and oak on the palate. On the palate, this seems a bit heavy and dominated by oak. A lot of interesting flavors, but seems a bit out of balance.
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Fruity nose of lemon zest, green notes of asparagus and leaves, some sensations of fried ground meat, discrete toasty oak. Very intense and lemony on the palate. Marked alcohol (14,6%) together with sharp acids produce a hard and slightly burning mouthfeel. Not our kind of chardonnay, so pass.
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Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA): Boisterous nose, with yeasty bread, lemon, and granny smith. Outstandingly balanced...a veritable model of restraint. I would be good and drunk before growing tired of this one.
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We tried this for the first time a month ago. We decided to try another bottle this evening because we had some of the 2008 Sea Smoke left from the prior evening to compare. They share a funky nose as well as citric, briny and acidic flavor elements. The Sea Smoke is fuller and creamier. It's fruit profile is deeper and more complex. Were price no object we would pick the Sea Smoke every time. Price considered it is a closer call. Both are excellent.
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We tasted this at a restaurant and really enjoyed it. It is tart but smooth with a pleasant and understated honey undertone. It is somehow full and lean at the same time. Mineral and brine finish. Excellent with our lobster salads.
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Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of lemon, yellow pears and orange zest. Flavors of apricot, lemon, yellow pear and a hint of peach. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold.
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The Other California: Anything except Napa or Sonoma! (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had quite a bit of lemon and honey. There was also an herbaceous quality, along with minerals and wax. The palate was rich and slightly salty. It had a bunch of lime juice, plus some stone of the finish. A really nice Old World style wine.
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Wow! I'm the first to comment on this wine which will certainly not disappoint tasters. A lovely Chardonnay with a lifted nose of flowers, lemon peel and curd, pear, mandarin orange. The wine is impeccably balanced and fresh, with the mouth-filling apple, pear and lemon peel fruit underpinned by a present, though not dominant minerality. Could easily be taken for a (slightly riper) PC Montrachet. Easily the one of, if not the finest Cali chardonnay under 30 dollars.
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11/13/2017 - kanowsky wrote: 93 Points
Went quite well with smoked salmon.
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11/13/2016 - loloFR Likes this wine: 90 Points
to be drunk. still good but very california. important to match properly with food. a bit too much alone
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9/5/2016 - EducatedDrunk Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drinking deliciously - plan B after a corked Mersault. Some oak on the nose, but not so much on the palate. High alcohol masked by the fruit - well balanced.
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11/1/2015 - loloFR Likes this wine: 91 Points
drink very well. high acidity coupled with buttery flavor. not the depth and minerality of chassagne, but very enjoyable
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1/31/2013 - drrobvino wrote: 91 Points
Initially opened last night, where I enjoyed a few glasses and recorked the wine. Tasting note from 1-2 days later.
The color is clear in appearance, with a pale/med lemon-green color, fading to a watery rim.
The nose is in good condition, in a developing stage, showing med intensity notes of green apple, pineapple, lemon curd, and peaty notes in the upper register.
The palate shows a dry wine, med(+) in alcohol, and med(+) in body, offering up med(+) intensity flavors of melon, passion fruit, citrusy lemon, and pineapple, with a bit of chalk and rocks showing up near the end. The wine possesses med acidity, and shows some light oak-derived tannins, leading into the med(+) length, apple, honey and chalk finish.
This is a very good quality wine that has aged nicely for 5 years, and is in a perfect drinking window right now. I would estimate another 2-3 years of enjoyable drinking, but why wait? It is a bit opulent and lush in the mid palate, and has gorgeous finishing tension.
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10/22/2012 - Ken63 wrote: 92 Points
citrus, melon, nice acidity, very nice, more complex flavors and integrated acidity and bottles tasted last year earlier before. They improve for another year.
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8/29/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 91 Points
Well done,lively and crisp.
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8/11/2012 - Daffo wrote:
Gillar detta
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3/17/2012 - tcn67 wrote: 89 Points
I felt oak and smoke in the smell and the taste wad very good with a clear taste of citrus. Worked out great with fresh shrimps and aioli.
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2/16/2012 - Teamcrev wrote:
A little too tart up front for our taste, but we liked that there was little oak. It was certainly lively and crisp, just not for us.
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12/11/2011 - chefpete wrote: 92 Points
Big hit at a dinner party.
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11/27/2011 - cubswinws wrote: 90 Points
Crisp and lively. Citrus and soft oak. Well done.
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10/23/2011 - dbarco wrote: 88 Points
Nicely acidic, moderate oak, honey, lemon and a bit of apple. Very nice. I ordered some more.
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7/10/2011 - Freegrazer wrote:
Excellent
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6/5/2011 - Judithal wrote: 90 Points
fresh,crisp,drinks well
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6/5/2011 - Judithal wrote: 90 Points
fresh ,crisp
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5/7/2011 - fisk15 wrote: 87 Points
Less integrated than the last bottle, with spicy oak and lemony acidity taking front stage. Hoping for a repeat performance of the 1st bottle and did not happen.
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5/2/2011 - cookie7 wrote: 86 Points
Pop and pour - note after 3 hours. Melon, apple and oak on the palate. On the palate, this seems a bit heavy and dominated by oak. A lot of interesting flavors, but seems a bit out of balance.
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11/23/2010 - hubas wrote: 87 Points
Deep yellow color, a hint of burnt sugar. The oak is quite noticeable and the flavor reminds me of very young apples.
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11/22/2010 - Finare Vinare wrote: 86 Points
Fruity nose of lemon zest, green notes of asparagus and leaves, some sensations of fried ground meat, discrete toasty oak. Very intense and lemony on the palate. Marked alcohol (14,6%) together with sharp acids produce a hard and slightly burning mouthfeel. Not our kind of chardonnay, so pass.
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11/18/2010 - olofst wrote: 88 Points
Fair enough chardonnay but doesn't really stand up to similar bourgognes or even a New Zealander like Cloudy Bay. Way too high alcohol.
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11/14/2010 - bwillia wrote: 90 Points
This is a nice understated Chard dominated by food friendly acidity and nice flavors of green apple and pear with a backbone of minerality.
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8/11/2010 - tcfishler wrote:
Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA): Boisterous nose, with yeasty bread, lemon, and granny smith. Outstandingly balanced...a veritable model of restraint. I would be good and drunk before growing tired of this one.
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8/9/2010 - tantotinto wrote: 91 Points
We tried this for the first time a month ago. We decided to try another bottle this evening because we had some of the 2008 Sea Smoke left from the prior evening to compare. They share a funky nose as well as citric, briny and acidic flavor elements. The Sea Smoke is fuller and creamier. It's fruit profile is deeper and more complex. Were price no object we would pick the Sea Smoke every time. Price considered it is a closer call. Both are excellent.
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8/3/2010 - MWiking wrote: 89 Points
riktigt bra vin, hög syra men med luft 1 timme så var det helt underbart.
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7/26/2010 - joshwoodward wrote: 90 Points
Vanguard (Columbus, OH): Shy nose. Smooth, light oak. Corny. Good acid, restrained. $40
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7/2/2010 - tantotinto wrote: 91 Points
We tasted this at a restaurant and really enjoyed it. It is tart but smooth with a pleasant and understated honey undertone. It is somehow full and lean at the same time. Mineral and brine finish. Excellent with our lobster salads.
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2/20/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted at a retail tasting.
Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of lemon, yellow pears and orange zest. Flavors of apricot, lemon, yellow pear and a hint of peach. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold.
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2/20/2010 - mmurry wrote: 92 Points
The Other California: Anything except Napa or Sonoma! (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had quite a bit of lemon and honey. There was also an herbaceous quality, along with minerals and wax. The palate was rich and slightly salty. It had a bunch of lime juice, plus some stone of the finish. A really nice Old World style wine.
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12/14/2009 - petrusncoke wrote: 92 Points
Wow! I'm the first to comment on this wine which will certainly not disappoint tasters. A lovely Chardonnay with a lifted nose of flowers, lemon peel and curd, pear, mandarin orange. The wine is impeccably balanced and fresh, with the mouth-filling apple, pear and lemon peel fruit underpinned by a present, though not dominant minerality. Could easily be taken for a (slightly riper) PC Montrachet. Easily the one of, if not the finest Cali chardonnay under 30 dollars.
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