Plenty Of Very Good Chardonnays — Part 2

In this Chardonnay report, we cover all of the 90 point Chardonnays and the other Very Good Chards we tried this summer.  We will start off with two late entry Chards that scored above 90 points but missed our last report.  The first one was Terrific and scored 93 points.  We had to tell you about this gem, especially since we had never heard of it prior to pulling it out of the sample box.  The 2008 La Follette “Sangiacomo Vineyard”  Chardonnay for $30 is a steal.  It opens with an attractive spiced pear bouquet with a hint of lemon.  On the palate, this wine is full-bodied and smooth with just a hint of crispy acidity.  Our group of tasters were quite impressed with its very tasty spicy pear flavors with notes of oak and butterscotch.  It did not last long and we urge you to find some soon before everyone discovers it. 

The other high scoring late entry was the 2008 Dutton Estate “Dutton Palms Vineyard” Chard for $42.  It was also quite impressive.  We awarded it with 92 points.  It opens with a green apple bouquet and it is medium-bodied, balanced, and very smooth.  I loved its very tasty gentle oak infused apple favors with a hint of vanilla.  This wine might not be released yet, so call the winery and get in line.

The next 12 wines all scored 90 points.  We'll call it our Classy Chard Case!  The 2008 Zaca Mesa Chardonnay from Paso Robles will really appeal to readers who like fruit driven Chard with little to no oak influence.  They will love the price at $18.  It is medium-bodied, well balanced, and slightly crisp with gentle acidity.  I enjoyed its fresh mild lemon flavors with a touch of green apple.  I would serve it with grilled swordfish with a mango salsa.

Next up is an old standby.  The 2008 Kendall Jackson “Grand Reserve” Chardonnay for $20 is always a winner.  This year’s version is full-bodied, very well balanced, viscous, and smooth.  Overall it has a terrific mouthfeel.  Its gentle tangerine and green apple flavors make it a perfect food match for sautéed chicken over penne and broccoli smothered with a light cream sauce.

Washington State has been producing some very nice Chards lately and we really liked this one from Columbia Crest.  The 2007 “Reserve” Chard for $25 opens with a very fragrant apricot and pineapple bouquet.  It was full-bodied, well balanced, very creamy and elegant.  I thought this one would pair well with chicken cordon bleu. 

The 2008 Bjornstad “Sonoma County” Chard for $25 is another solid entry from this terrific producer who went 3 for 3 with me this year.  This regional Chard is full-bodied, balanced, and rich.  If you like the traditional California style, this Chard is for you.  It displays very tasty oak infused Anjou pear flavors with hints of Granny Smith apple and Honeydew melon.  It paired very well with my tortellini alfredo.

The 2008 Byron “Santa Maria Valley” Chard for $26 is our next highlighted Chard.  It is medium-bodied, well balanced, smooth, and creamy.  It is very complex and has an intriguing combination of flavors.  They were a mild combination of minerals, unripe pineapple, bread dough, and almond.  There were also some oak notes that linger in the aftertaste as well.  It was easy to drink and I thought it would be a very nice match for chicken cordon bleu.

This next wine has made our recommended list for the last couple of years.  The 2008 Landmark “Overlook” Chardonnay for $28 is always Very Good and consistent.  This year's vintage is medium-bodied, balanced, and easy going.  I enjoyed its gentle oak influences, along with its green apple and honey dew melon flavors.  I would pair it with sharp cheddar cheese and sliced Granny Smith apples.

We loved the 2007 Truchard Chardonnay.  Their 2008 Chard from “Carneros” for $30 is another winner as well and it was very well received by our mini group.  It is full-bodied and very well balanced between its mild acidity and fruit.  We felt its mild green apple flavors with hints of creamy butter and light oak were quite tasty.  Our group thought it would be a very nice option to pair with chicken cordon bleu.

The next Chard is a low production offering from C. Donatiello.  They only made 98 cases of the 2008 “Middle Reach” Chardonnay.  But if you read the last report we did, you should try to get your hands on any Chard this winery makes.  This particular Chard was the winner of a mini Chard flight that we conducted.  It opens with a mild crème brulee bouquet with some notes of oak detected as well.  On the palate, this wine is medium-bodied, balanced, and shows pleasant gentle acidity.  The flavor profile is a buttery pear with some light oak mixed in.  The finish is dry and nicely refined.  The group thought this Chard would be nice with a grilled pork chop with an apple chutney sauce.  Enjoy — Ken

Robert Stemmler is best known for its Pinot Noirs, however being in Carneros, they consistently make terrific Chardonnay from this great AVA.  The 2007 Robert Stemmler “Estate” Chardonnay opens with a mild lime bouquet with notes of butterscotch and a hint of pineapple.  On the palate, it is full-bodied, crisp and savory with tangerine and apple flavors with a touch of melon and light oak.  Pair this food friendly Chard with trout almondine.

If you like oaky Chardonnay, this next one may seriously interest you.  The 2007 Stuhlmuller “Reserve” for $38 gained praise from oaky Chard fans who like this style.  It is full-bodied, balanced, and quite rich.  These tasters loved its oak influenced pear and green melon flavors with a hint of lemon. I thought it would pair well with Chicken St. Timothy.

The last two 90 point Chardonnays cost $45.  The first one is the 2008 Freestone “Ovation” from the Sonoma Coast in CA.  It is not quite as good a the 2007 but a very nice follow up.  The panel appreciated pleasant acidity and crispy feel throughout.  That presence was matched by its slightly tart green apple flavors with notes of honey cashew and a touch of lemon.  The panel suggested pairing it with chicken cordon bleu.  Next up is the 2008 Dutton Goldfield “Rued Vineyard” Chard from the Green Valley in California.  This wine boasts a very fragrant tropical fruit bouquet with hints of pineapple, baked, apple, mild oak, and spice peaking through.  Its round mouthfeel extended into tasty mild oak influenced ripe green apple flavors with a hint of pineapple and butterscotch.  It would pair well with chicken, but I would sauté it with penne, and peas in a thick white cream sauce.

We conclude this report with a list of 32 Chards that scored from 86 (Good+) up to 89 points.  You will certainly find some very nice offerings in this group that will appeal to your palate and wallet.  We hope you have as much fun trying them as we did.  Cheers – Ken

1. Snoqualmie 2008 (Columbia Valley, WA) $10 (89)
2. Kendall Jackson 2008 “Vintner’s Reserve” (California) $14 (89)
3. Foxglove 2008 (Central Coast, CA) $15 (89)
4. Merryvale 2008 “Starmont”(Napa Valley, CA) $20 (89)
5. Adelsheim Vineyard 2008 “Willamette Valley” (Willamette Valley, OR) $22 (89)
6. C. Donatiello 2007 “Russian River Valley” (Russian River Valley, CA) $24 (89)
7. Stuhlmuller 2008 Chard “Estate” (Alexander Valley, CA) $24 (89)
8. Stoller 2008 “SV Estate” (Dundee Hills, OR) $28 (89)
9. Stoller 2007 “SV Estate” (Dundee Hills, OR) $28 (89)
10. Duckhorn 2008 “Migration” (Russian River Valley, CA) $30 (89)
11. Ferrari Carano 2007 “Reserve”(Carneros, CA) $32 (89)
12. Merryvale 2008 “Carneros”(Carneros, CA) $35 (89)
13. Fogdog 2008(Sonoma Coast, CA) $35 (89)
14. Hunnicut 2008 “Napa”(Napa Valley, CA) $35 (89)
15. Sonoma Cutrer 2006 “The Cutrer” (Russian River Valley, CA) $35 (89)
16. Smoking Loon 2008 Chardonnay (California) $9 (88)
17. Buried Cane 2007 (Washington) $12 (88)
18. Navarro 2008 “Mendocino” (Mendocino, CA) $17 (88)
19. Rustenberg 2008 “Stellenboach”  (South Africa) $20 (88)
20. Mulderbosch 2007 Chardonnay(Stellenbosch, South Africa) $21 (88)
21. Sonoma Cutrer 2008 “Russian River Ranches”(Sonoma Coast, CA) $23 (88)
22. Ferrari Carano 2008 “Sonoma County”(Sonoma County, CA) $23 (88)
23. Sonoma Cutrer 2008 “Sonoma Coast”(Sonoma Coast, CA) $24 (88)
24. Fritz 2008 “Russian River Valley” (Russian River Valley, CA) $25 (88)
25. Sonoma Cutrer 2006 “Les Pierres”(Sonoma Coast, CA) $36 (88)
26. Leeuwin Estate 2007 “Prelude Vineyards” (Margaret River, Australia) $36 (88)
27. Dutton Estate 2008 “Kyndall’s Reserve” (Russian River Valley, CA) $36 (88)
28. Shoofly 2008 “Chook Raffle” (Adelaide Hills, Australia) $14 (87)
29. Layer Cake 2009 “Virgin” (Central Coast, CA) $14 (87)
30. Michael and David Philips 2008 “Seven Heavenly”(Lodi, CA) $16 (87)
31. Pepperwood Grove 2008 (CA) $7 (86)
32. Chateau Ste Michelle 2008 “Columbia Valley” (Columbia Valley, WA) $13 (86)