1996 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Alexander Valley

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 84 points

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  1/20/2022 - forceberry wrote: 84 Points

  13% alcohol. Tasted blind.
  
  Pale bronze color. Very evolved and slightly oxidative nose with aromas of dried yellow fruits and Sultana raisins, some malty barley wine notes, a little bit of smoke, light nuances of meat stew, a hint of hay, a touch of browned butter and a whiff of sauerkraut. The wine is tertiary and moderately oxidative on the palate with flavors of roasted nuts and caramel, some burnt sugar, light malty notes, a little bit of creamy richness and browned butter, a hint of sultana raisins and a touch of stony minerality. The medium acidity feels a bit inadequate to lend the wine any good freshness, making the overall impression a bit soft. The finish is long,rich and complex with very evolved flavors of honeyed sweetness and sultana raisins, some notes of roasted nuts, a little bit of meaty umami, light creamy nuances, a hint of tangy salinity and a touch of browned butter.
  
  A very evolved Cali Chardonnay that feels somewhat past its peak. The wine is still fully drinkable, but especially the oxidative malty notes do take some toll on its drinkability. I guessed that the wine was mid-1990's white Rhône with some oak influence, based on the modest acidity and notes of nuts, hay and creaminess. All in all, a good wine from the viewpoint of academic interest, but if one looks for something drinkable and enjoyable, this has already dropped out from that train.

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