The Grapes from A-Z

Chardonnay

There is a town in France named Chardonnay…perhaps this was an indigenous grape to the area, and town and grape grew together. Perhaps not, but it is a quaint and picturesque story, non? As of this writing, late 2008, there is not the clamor or excitement surrounding this noble grape that there once was. It’s a shame really, as the fickle focus their search for the next big thing. The quality of this golden nectar is better than ever. Rich or lean, full and leasy, or restrained and clean the Chardonnay of today are glorious expressions of the different continents, regions, and vineyards. An easy grape to grow under a myriad of conditions, it is a bit of a chameleon as far as the taste profile goes. Long cool fermentations reveal notes that the small barrel oak infused wines might hide. Chardonnay does the heavy lifting in Champagne and can make a late harvest wine as sweet as any Riesling…well, that may be overstating the case but it is a most versatile and most Noble grape. Here’s a list of my favorites, today;
Chard 2005 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Jim Clendenen nice extraction, oak
Chard Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Citrus fruits headline the full flavors in this great value
Chard Catena Alta Mendoza unique expression
Chard 2005 Cloudy Bay Marlborough Very good wine
Chard 2005 Paul Cluver Wines Elgin Excellent, lime and minerals
Chard 2006 Coppo Italy Costebianche Racy, tart and fine
Chard 2003 Coppo Italy Monteriolo Goddamn! Nice dry and deep…
Chard 2005 Cousino-Macul Maipo Valley Antiguas Reservas Very nice reserve, wood tones
Chard 2001 Cynthus Russian River Gorgeous fruit framed by tasteful oak with beautiful secondary flavors
Chard 2005 Flowers Sonoma Coast Very nice
Chard 2004 Londer Kent Richie Wow, deep aromatics
Chard 2005 Luca Catena Mendoza Very good
Chard 2006 Lis Neris Friuli Jurosa unique, elegant
Chard 2005 Lynmar Russian River Hugh Chappelle Quite good, new fave?
Chard 2005 Lynmar Quail Hill Estate Hugh Chappelle Very nice, fine, amazing
Chard 2004 Mon Lis Santa Lucia Highlands Sleepy Hollow vyd Leesy and rich
Chard 2004 Mueller Winery Russian River LB My fave
Chard 2006 Neyers Vineyards Carneros Ehren Jordan Big and complex
Chard 2006 Neyers Vineyards Napa Ehren Jordan Exceptional wine
Chard 2005 Seresin NZ Estate Spicy, leesy chard
Chard 2005 Taft Street Winery Russian River Good expression
Chard 2005 Taft Street Winery Sonoma Star winner
Chard 2005 Talley Vineyards Arroyo Grande Estate Leslie Mead Good leesy chard
Chard 2004 Wolffer Estate Vineyard The Hamptons, L.I. Very complex, Wow!

Chard 2004 Wolffer Estate Vineyard The Hamptons, L.I. Estate Selection Wow, how nice is this?
Chard/Viognier 2007 Nieto Senetiner Mendoza Don Nicanor Nice $12 pour
Chassagne-Montrachet 2004 Maltroye Bourgogne Clos St. Jean Starred chard
Corton-Charlemagne 2005 Vincent Girardin Bourgogne Excellent