Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – Sonoma County California
Cost: $22.99/Bottle
Light pewter in color, medium-bodied, nice genuine notes of grapefruit, wet stones, and lemon rind on the nose. In the mouth, tart and dry, good balance, refreshing and light on the palate with slightly diluted but consistent flavors of grapefruit and minerals.
Rating: 86
Simi Chardonnay 2007 – Sonoma California
Cost: 19.99/Bottle
A dry chardonnay that hints at juiciness— with its buttery oak, honeydew, pear, and tropical fruit aromas. It’s moderately full-bodied with consistent pears, fruity flavors, and minerals that flow quite nicely with a zingy acidity that puckers the upper section of your mouth. A slightly short and dry finish, but that’s fine for the value of this Sonoma chardonnay.
Rating: 87
Landmark Chardonnay 2006 – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $22/bottle
Nice light-gold color, clear and crisp, notes of lemon, honey, oak, and oatmeal. Full-bodied, smooth and rich on the palate. Gobs of fruit with forgiving acidity. Fills the mouth so much, it can be enjoyed on its own just sipping away at happy hour. Personally, I enjoyed it with a summery seared tuna, and it was just the right ticket.
Rating: 92
Rudd – Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 – Russian River Valley, California
Cost: $65/bottle
Dining at a newly opened restaurant in our neighborhood, we are treated to an impressive selection of fine Italian dishes. During appetizers, we enjoyed this bottle of Bacigalupi Vineyard chardonnay, the signature white wine of the Rudd Estate. Its impressive nose of pear, mild citrus, a hint of black licorice and minerals is gorgeous to sniff. The full-bodied, rich, and layered textures unfold impressive white and yellow fruit while retaining that fine acidic structure but remaining smooth on the mid and back palates. An outstanding wine, worth its hefty premium price tag.
Rating: 92
Bogle Chardonnay 2006 – California
Cost: $10/bottle
Nice light gold in color, with a sweet, oaky nose intermixed with honey, pear, and peach. Consistent flavors pack this full-bodied and chewy chardonnay that should match quite nicely with Read more…
Showkett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $49.99/Bottle
A georgeous weekend, we dined outdoors with a lovely bottle of cabernet sauvignon from Showkett Vineyards, which, as not too many know, is a neighboring vineyard literally a stone’s throw from the famous Screaming Eagle vineyards. Having visited the winery perhaps about 12 years ago, I do recall this was one of the highlights of my trip, and it’s quite nice to pick up a bottle of this hidden gem if/when I see it on a store shelf. The cabernet is the hallmark of this winery, and the 2005 appears to be an outstanding effort, with notes of blackcherry, cassis, a touch of sage, smoke and vanilla, and— with a bit of airing and swirling, a rather enjoyable confectionary sugar powder that also emerges. In the mouth, very balanced, good persistence of fruit backed by polished tannins, and a nice cherry-vanilla lingering finish. It’s forward in that you can enjoy today, but give this a couple of years resting for maximum peak enjoyment.
Rating: 92
Karl Lawrence – Aldin Chardonnay 2007 – Napa Valley California
Cost: $25/Bottle
This is a nice summer-like chardonnay… with its fine notes of buttery oak laced white wine seemingly loaded with pear, honeysuckle and tangerine oil on both aroma and flavor. Has good acid levels and becomes nice and creamy on the palate. Full bodied, full flavored, and rich from mid to back palate.
Rating: 90
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