uS WINE REVIEWS & RATINGS

California

CHARDONNAY

2001 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium golden yellow hue

Nose: Fruit with citrus, mineral, and a rich smell

Taste: Pear, citrus, acidic bit

Finish: Short with some vibrant citrus fruit along with mineral notes

Evaluation: For an 01 this has some serious life left in it. 90 points

2003 Martinelli Charles Ranch Sonoma Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Darker golden hue and dense in appearance

Nose: Floral and spice

Taste: Thick with floral and spice notes

Finish: Floral with a multi layered finish. A little heat as the 15.3% alcohol might contribute to this but a nice sensation in the back of my mouth.

Evaluation: Very complex wine with everything but distinct fruit elements. 90 points

2003 Newton “Unfiltered” Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Golden Hue

Nose: Floral and citrus

Taste: Floral! Thick texture with orange peel, spice and rich elements.

Finish: Spice and pepper with a long finish.

Evaluation: One of the best Chardonnay's I have ever had. Very complex wine and the finish was multi layered and satisfying. 92 points

2004 Clos du Bois Russian River Valley Chardonnay $$

Color: Yellowish hue

Nose: Mineral and citrus fruit

Taste: Minerals, grapefruit which was a thick mouthful of wine

Finish: Multi layered with mineral and citrus elements bombarding your mouth. A safe crowd pleaser 86 points

2004 Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Chardonnay $$

Color: Yellow hue

Nose: Oak, citrus, pear, floral

Taste: Tangy with floral notes (not matching up with the nose)

Finish: acidic burst but very short

Evaluation: The nose was impressive but this wine tailed off on taste and certainly finish 82 points

2004 Chappellet Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: yellow hue

Nose: Mineral no fruit here.

Taste: It really had very little taste that was detectable. Mainly minerals.

Finish: Not real long.

Evaluation: This wine was so simple but a great wine. Hard to describe but I enjoyed it. 90 points

2004 Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay $$

Color: yellowish hue

Nose: Pear and mineral

Taste: Acidic, buttery notes, citrus fruit and spice

Finish: Long finish with a hint of spice.

Evaluation: A really nice under $15 chardonnay that does not need food to perform well at a party or a night relaxing on the couch. 86 points Hennepin Lake

2004 Walter Hansel Chardonnay Estate- USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (9/7/2010)
A nice wine overall with oak, floral, apple and pear. Good concentration and medium finish. (87 points)

2004 Hess Collection Chardonnay $$

Color: Yellow tint

Nose: Fresh fruit such as melon.

Taste: No oak tasted and good fruit but became a little bitter after a few sips.

Finish: Not a long finish.

Evaluation: Drink on a hot day. 87 points

2004 Kistler Les Noisetiers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium yellow

Nose: Powerful, rich fruit featuring pear, mild musty smell

Taste: WOW! Thick, rich, pear, oak, vanilla, apple, a zing of crisp acids

Finish: Multi layered with pear, rich oak, vanilla, apple

Evaluation: This wine improved over the course of two hours and is the best Chardonnay I have ever had! Should decant for 2 hours. 94 points

2004 Kistler Hyde Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Lemon, mineral notes

Taste: Crisp acidity with lemon and a strong mineral taste

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Way over priced for the quality 88 points

2004 Kistler Sonoma Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Mineral

Taste: Really off for Kistler

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Not a good wine 82 points

2004 Liberty School Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Musty

Taste: Musty, bitter

Finish: Short with little fruit

Evaluation: 74 points

2004 Newton Napa Valley Unfiltered Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Darker gold

Nose: Rich with oak, spice, pear, apple, mineral

Taste: Wow. A mouthful of flavor with spice, oak, vanilla, apple, mineral

Finish: Balanced wine with a persistent intensity. oak, vanilla, mineral, apple, all leading into a buttery finish.

Evaluation: An amazing wine that should be cellared for three to five years. 93 points

2004 Neyers Los Carneros Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Floral, oak, vanilla, citrus fruits

Taste: Floral, orange, peach, oak, vanilla

Finish: Medium and pleasing

Evaluation: 89 points

2004 Patz & Hall Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Rich and Intense. Oak, vanilla, pear, spice

Taste: Thick, spice, oak, floral

Finish: Really long! spice, oak, floral that weaves into a buttery finish. 92 points

2004 Pine Ridge "Dijon Clones" Carneros $$$

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Floral, pear, apple

Taste: Disappointing with a weak taste of fruit, little oak

Finish: Short with a little fruit showing

Evaluation: 05 was much better then this. 82 points

2004 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Yellow hue

Nose: Pear, buttery notes, apple

Taste: A rich wine with pear, citrus fruits, and caramel

Finish: Medium finish with pear and apple

Evaluation: A well made wine that should improve with cellaring. 89 points

2004 Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Light yellowish hue

Nose: Full of life with pear, citrus, apple

Taste: Rich and flavorful. Light oak, apple, citrus fruit, floral, and pear

Finish: A vivid wine with floral and buttery notes dominating. Light oak elements intermixing in this long finish

Evaluation: A solid wine in its infancy. This needs some cellar time and should improve. 91 points

2004 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium golden yellow hue

Nose: Floral, citrus, buttery notes

Taste: Vivid acid from the citrus fruit, thick, floral, a mouthful of taste

Finish: Medium with floral and acid dominating

Evaluation: A nice wine that should improve as this is in its infancy. 90 points

2004 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Reserve- USA, California, Sonoma County (3/15/2010)
Nice aromas of pinneapple, pear, apple, oak and vanilla. Rich on the palate and medium to long finish. Highly recommended wine. (90 pts.)

2005

2005 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/20/2010)
Medium gold. Nose of carmel, candied fruit, apples and oak. Carmel, pinneapple, candied orange peel and oak. Medium finish with good acidity. A good seafood wine. (92 pts.)

2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Fournier Vineyard Los Carneros $$$$

Color: Dark gold

Nose: Golden apples, oak, vanilla, floral

Taste: Explosion of flavor and concentration

Finish: Concentrated and really impressive

Evaluation: This is top 3 Chard's of all time 94 points

2005 Artesa Carneros Chardonnay $$

Color: Yellow

Nose: Oak, mineral, apple

Taste: Rich wine with apple, mineral, oak and pear

Finish: Medium with apple, oak, and pear

Evaluation: A good value wine. 87 points

2005 Benzinger Los Carneros Chardonnay $

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, pear, apple

Taste: Rich for an inexpensive chard. Oak, pear, vanilla, apple

Finish: Solid medium finish

Evaluation: Well made and really cheap. 86 points

Hennepin Lake

2005 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium Gold

Nose: Explosive with Mineral, pear, oak, vanilla, spice

Taste: Spice, oak, vanilla, mineral, apple, fig

Finish: Medium with spice, mineral, oak, vanilla, fig, apple

Evaluation: The best Chardonnay I have ever had under $30. 93 points

Hennepin Lake

2005 Byron Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Dark gold

Nose: Rich oak, vanilla, citrus, and pear

Taste: A beauty with oak,vanilla, citrus, apple, pear

Finish: Very complex for under $30 and super balanced wine

Evaluation: Forget Cakebread wines drink this 91 points

2005 Chapellet Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Light citrus, mineral

Taste: A mouthful of citrus fruit with mineral, floral notes and a medium amount of acidity

Finish: Medium with citrus fruit and mineral

Evaluation: A refreshing wine that possess no oak. 89 points Hennepin Lake 3/29

2005 IL Cuore Sonoma Chardonnay $

Color: Light

Nose: Pear, apple

Taste: Simple no oaked out like some Chardonnays

Finish: Fruit forward

Evaluation: 83 points

2005 Dierberg Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, pear, apple

Taste: Heavy oak with some fruit showing through

Finish: Medium and again oak is a little heavy

Evaluation: A true food wine due to the oak 88 points

2005 Dutton Goldfield Russian River Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium yellow

Nose: Rich and Intense with oak, vanilla, apple, and pear

Taste: Apple, peach, mineral and oak

Finish: Long finish with oak, vanilla, mineral, pear and apple

Evaluation: A wonderful example of Chardonnay. 92 points

2005 Mount Eden Wolff Vineyard Edna Valley $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Mineral, light spice, floral

Taste: Apple, pear, mineral, light spice

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Nice chicken dinner wine 88 points

2005 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium yellow

Nose: Oak, vanilla, apple, pear

Taste: Rich and lively. Pear, oak, apple, and spice

Finish: Medium and powerful with oak, apple, spice and pear

Evaluation: An excellent value from a great vintage. 90 points

2005 Fox Glove Eden Valley Chardonnay$$

Color: Clear

Nose: Floral, tropical fruit

Taste: Floral, vivid acidic taste with a mineral note

Finish: Short and to the point

Evaluation: A simple made wine that is perfect for a party 83 points

2005 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Vineyards Russian River Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Apple, spice, floral, mineral

Taste: Apple, spice, mineral, floral

Finish: Medium and complex with a touch of white pepper

Evaluation: Well made and should improve with age. 90 points

2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (9/7/2010)
This is the best this wine has shown. Great nose with oak, butter, vanilla, spice, and lemon. On the palate nice toasted oak, vanilla, spices, orange peel and lemon. Medium finish and concentrated wine. (91 points)

2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/22/2010)
Soft oak, vanilla, apple, pear and spice. Medium finish and still drinking well but I would consume these soon. (88 points)

2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/26/2010)
Nice overall with spice, oak, pear and vanilla. Drink up within this year. (88 points)

2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/13/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club does Burgundy; 6/12/2010-6/14/2010 (Christine's House): Totally California Chardonnay and a fun comparison to the 2005 William Fevre Fourchaume. Ripe lemons, apples and pear fruits. Minerals and subtle oak on the palate. This wine also adds some carmel quality on the finish. I would not sit on this wine but it is still drinking well. (90 points)

2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (5/3/2010)
Medium gold. Nose spices, oak, vanilla, carmel and pear. On the palate nice use of oak, vanilla, spices, carmel and pear. Medium and concentrated finish. Really balanced. (91 pts.)

2005 Mer Soleil Central Coast Chardonnay $29.95

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, mineral, apple, pear

Taste: Rich and buttery with oak, mineral, apple, pear

Finish: Mineral, buttery notes, apple on this medium finish

Evaluation: Solid Cali Chard 90 points

2005 Pine Ridge "Dijon Clones" Carneros/Napa Chardonnay $$$

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Oak, little musty, nice fruit

Taste: Crisp acidic wine with full flavor of oak, vanilla, mineral, fruit

Finish: Medium with multi layers of oak, mineral and a buttery finish emerging

Evaluation: This is a good Chardonnay to serve someone who hates Chardonnay. If they don't like this we will leave them be. 89 points

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (3/15/2010)
A Baby Kistler with mineral, oak, vanilla, and pear. On the palate toasted oak, vanilla, pear, spices and burnt toast. Medium and concentrated finish that includes butter scotch. Nice wine overall. (91 pts.)

2005 Chateau St. Jean Reserve Sonoma County Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Rich with lemon, almonds, lemon and orange rinds

Taste: Candied apples, lemons, minerals, orange rinds

Finish: Long with a complex elements

Evaluation: Drinking really well right now 91 points

2005 Wente Riva Ranch Arroyo Seco Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Mineral, pear, apple

Taste: Buttery, mineral, pear, apple

Finish: Buttery, oak, vanilla

Evaluation: As good as it gets for Chardonnay for under $15. 90 points

2006 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Chardonnay $$

Color: medium yellow

Nose: Apple, mineral

Taste: Mineral, pear, and apple

Finish: Medium with apple and pear

Evaluation: For those that don't like oak 84 points

2006 Byron Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Grass, lemon, floral

Taste: Grass, lemon, minerals, floral

Finish: A little off and bitter with heavy minerals

Evaluation: Finish is off and really the score reflects it 84 points

2006 Flora Springs Barrel Fermented Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, vanilla, lemon

Taste: Heavy wine with a bit too much oak along with lemon, mineral, spice and orange peal

Finish: Medium and candied fruit appears near the end

Evaluation: 88 points

2006 Flora Springs Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Ripe peach, Lemon, pear, apples

Taste: Rich with lemon, peaches, toasted oak, honey

Finish: Medium and balanced. Shows off some nice fruit

Evaluation: 90 points

2006 Grgich-Hills Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Lemon, floral, pear

Taste: Light oak with a buttery feel along with lemon, floral

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: A nice wine but expensive 89 points

2006 Grgich Hills Cellar Chardonnay Estate Grown - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/6/2010)
Nice wine with minerals, lemons and floral on the nose. Good use of oak on this wine as it complements the fruit elements. Medium finish and balanced. (90 pts.)

2006 Hook and Ladder Russian River Chardonnay $$

Color: Light gold

Nose: Mineral, floral

Taste: Mineral, floral

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Boring wine 82 points

2006 Kendall Jackson California Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, mineral, apple

Taste: Oak, vanilla, apple

Finish: Smooth and balanced

Evaluation: Kendall does a great job with Chardonnay 86 points

2006 Kistler Les Noisetier Sonoma Valley Chardonnay $$$$$

Color: Medium Gold

Nose: Musty, oak, floral, pear, vanilla

Taste: Elegant wine with tons of flavor featuring floral, oak, pear, apple pie, vanilla

Finish: Long and enjoyable. Floral, oak, pear, apple pie, vanilla

Evaluation: Kistler is one of the best producers of Chardonnays in the world. 93 points

2006 Newton Napa/Sonoma Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Spice, floral, mineral

Taste: Spice, floral

Finish: bitter too much oak

Evaluation: Not well made 82 points

2006 Newton "Unfiltered" Napa Valley Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Spice, oak, apple

Taste: Not as intense as the 05 with apple, spice, floral and light oak

Finish: Balanced wine with a medium finish

Evaluation: Well made but a little steep price for the quality 88 points

2006 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/20/2010)
Medium gold. Oak, honey, apples and spices. On the palate a buttery oak quality along with spices, vanilla and pear. Medium finish and solid Chard. (90 pts.)

2006 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay $$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, floral, vanilla, mineral

Taste: Oak, floral, vanilla

Finish: Solid and complex

Evaluation: A nice Chardonnay. 90 points

2006 Clos Roberts North Coast Chardonnay $$

Color: Light gold

Nose: Pinneapple, mineral, peach

Taste: Lightly oaked with pinneapple, mineral, and butterscotch

Finish: Medium with spice, oak, vanilla, and pinneapple

Evaluation: Solide wine for around $14 88 points

2006 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Reserve- USA, California, Sonoma County
Not as good as the 04 and 05 version. Oak, floral and apple dominate this wine and a bit too tannic. Maybe will get better with time. (85 pts.)

2006 Tangley Oaks Central Coast Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, pear

Taste: Oak, vanilla, pear, mineral

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Average Chardonnay 85 points

2006 Trefethen Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, smoke, pear

Taste: Toasted oak, vanilla, smoke, pear and figs

Finish: Medium and complex

Evaluation: A well made Chard and at $20 a steal 90 points

2006 Varner Foxglove Central Coast Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium yellow

Nose: Lemon, mineral

Taste: Lemon, mineral, floral

Finish: Medium and nice intensity

Evaluation: Great value for under $15. 87 points

2007 Bogle California Chardonnay $

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Apple, pear

Taste: Simple with apple and pear

Finish: Short

Evaluation: Good for the price 84 points

2007 Walter Hansel Cahill Vineyards Chardonnay $$$$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Oak, vanilla, minerals, honey

Taste: Big with oak, vanilla, minerals, honey and apples

Finish: Medium and concentrated

Evaluation: 92 points

2007 Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay $$

Color: Light gold

Nose: Lemon, mineral, spice

Taste: Full flavor with lemon, spices, floral, grapefruit, minerals

Finish: Amazing for this price point. Concentrated with a medium finish

Evaluation: $13.88 what a deal 88 points

2007 Louis M. Martini Chardonnay Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/2/2010)
Lemon, mineral, oak and vanilla on the nose. The palate features mild oak, vanilla, mineral, orange peel and lemons. Medium finish and good acidity. Really well made for $10. I loved the 06 Napa Cab recently. (89 pts.)

2007 Ramey Chardonnay Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (2/11/2010)
Medium gold. Butterscotch, lemon, mineral, oak and spice intermixed to create an interesting Chardonnay. There is almost a chalky quality to this wine. Medium finish and not over the top oak. This wine should drink well for three to five years. (90 pts.)

2007 Ridge Chardonnay Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/17/2010)
Light gold. Beautiful nose with pinneapple, floral, mild oak and apple. On the palate it shows perfume, pinneapple, mild oak, vanilla, and spices. Medium finish and super balanced wine. One of the better US Chardonnays I have sampled in the past year. (93 pts.)

2007 Varner Foxglove Central Coast Chardonnay $$

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Floral, spice,

Taste: Oak, floral, spice, lemon, little bitter

Finish: Medium with floral, spice, and oak dominating

Evaluation: Solid for the price point 88 points

2007 Varner Fox Glove Central Coast Chardonnay $

Color: Medium gold

Nose: Spice, oak, melon

Taste: Oak, spice, some fruit

Finish: Medium

Evaluation: Bottle variation on this one compared to earlier review 84 points

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