2013 Chanin Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 91.7 points

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  11/23/2019 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Prior bottle was only five months ago, but as it had showed so well, I didn't want to take the risk and it showed beautifully again. A mixture of tart whitefruit (especially pear), more tropical notes (especially peach) and then citrus and a background creaminess on the nose. Medium bodied with a flavor profile that tracked the nose and was very much in keeping with my bottle from June 2019. Orchard fruit upfront (pear and peach), excellent mid-body depth with more peach and then tropical hints and finally tart citrus (especially lemon) on the backside. The fruit was expressive and rounded, but with a solid backbone. All bound together with a creaminess that helped keep all the elements in balance. A beautiful chardonnay: impressive fruit without being flabby, good acidity and tartness without being to hard-edged and an unobtrusive use of oak. Wish I had bought more of this!

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  6/16/2019 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Previously tasted almost exactly two years ago, this was my first from bottle and it has improved noticeably in that time. Nose continues to show tropical notes at first, but the longer it's open, the more it becomes a mix of pear and peach with tropical background notes and a balanced hint of oak/vanilla. Medium bodied and while quite accessible upon opening, really needed two hours to show it's best. Lots of orchard fruit notes upfront, especially pear and peach. Mid-body adds apple and some background, softer, richer tropical notes. Backside brings in acidity, tart lemon and light citrus notes. There were two things that have improved with this wine that particularly impressed me: (1) The overall integration between the various fruit elements and structural qualities is such that the wine shows complexity, depth and nuance - layers upon layers and (2) the use of oak was superb. When I previously tasted this wine, the oak was a little more prominent than I would like. Now, it provides structure and just a hint of creaminess/vanilla, fully balanced with the fruit. Should continue to improve over the next few years, but is drinking so well now, it will be difficult to resist. Never thought I would actually enjoy California Chardonnay, but Gavin Chanin has made a believer out of me! I'll need to try and find some additional bottles.

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  6/13/2017 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 Points

  More aromatic then either of the two Bien Nacido chardonnay's or the Los Alamos, showing intense floral notes and tropical qualities which shift to more orchard fruit the longer the wine is open. Medium bodied, but while it has more structure than the preceding chardonnay (Bien Nacido and Los Alamos), it also shows slightly better balance. Mainly orchard fruit notes upfront (peach, pear) with only hints of tropical qualities. Good acidity and lemon based citrus notes in the background. Finishes with good mineral notes and both tannin and acidity based structure. Oak does become a little more noticeable on the finish, but this should integrate with time. Overall, a very impressive chardonnay.

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  4/8/2016 - Rupert wrote:

  At 67PM: much fatter than the Dierberg, nice enough but I much prefer the focus and freshness of the Dierberg

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  12/17/2015 - Vinterest Angus Likes this wine: 92 Points

  A stunning wine. Huge nose. Rich decadent and long on the palate. Great with food (halibut and slow cooked ducks leg)

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View all 8 Community Tasting Notes

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