Bought out of interest knowing a little about the history of this place - this producer had its chardonnay chosen for the original tasting of Paris in 1976, and now they have their own AVA all to themselves. This is their middle tier Chardonnay, but to be honest there wasn't a whole lot to make it stand out apart from some refreshing citrus acidity and some lovely flinty minerality. It is quite a citrusy effort, but it's not especially complex. Had this twice now, the first time paid $30, and the second time paid $17 (Costco), and not surprisingly it tasted much better the second time around. Good for $17, less so for $30. (04/10)
A pretty boring wine to be honest, a nose of pear drops, green apple and vanilla that is not particularly complex or inspiring if the truth be told - and unfortunately given the price you have the right to expect something more. The palate is equally uninspiring, and pretty messy too - more apples and pears, with too much unbalanced vanilla oak and prominent acidity. I feel like the fruit isn't ripe enough to stand up to the oak and the acidity, not sure how much malolactic fermentation was done, but maybe they should have done a higher percentage. Don't know if this will improve with age. Disappointing, definitely inferior to their 2006 in my book. (04/10)