Attributes:

Handley

Anderson Valley, United States

Chardonnay

750 ML

2005: Tastings Rating: 88

bright, zesty

lean, medium-bodied

2005: CGCW Rating: 86

minerally

2005: Tastings Rating: 87

tangy, tart

apple, green apple, lemon, mineral, nectarine, spicy

fruity, sweet

2003: CGCW Rating: 87

clean, fresh

2003: Tastings Rating: 88

fresh, lively acidity

medium-bodied

tasty

oak

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 88

bright, clean, crisp

melon, pear, spice

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 88

crisp, tart

racy

2001: CGCW Rating: 85

bright, clean

simple

green apple, mineral

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

Anderson Valley is an AVA inside Mendocino County. Scouts for Louis Roederer of Champagne were searching California to find a place with weather as dismal as Roeder's home in north eastern France. The valley consists of a brushy area carved by the Navarro River that gains steady elevation as it moves inland. Sheep and apples were the prime agricultural focus in the area before vines were introduced to the area in the 1970's. A few promising Gewurztraminers have come from the valley, otherwise the main grapes of the hilly area are chardonnay and pinot noir. Besides single variety wines, the traditional method sparkling wines have been hailed as some of America's best to date.

Attributes:

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Chalk Hill, United States

Chardonnay

750 ML

2005: CGCW Rating: 87

bright, lively

focused

well-balanced

2005: Tastings Rating: 84

medium body

meaty, minerals

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86

candied

ripe

2004: Tastings Rating: 88

bright, tangy

medium body

supple

apple, citrus, green apple, marmalade, peach, spice, tangerine

ripe

creamy

2004: Tastings Rating: 86

clean, fresh, lively acidity

light, medium-bodied

pleasant

creamy, round, smooth

2003: CGCW Rating: 86

clean

straightforward

pleasant

oak

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 84

simple, uncomplicated

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

clean

simple

classic, well-made

herb, pear, spicy, vanilla

ripe

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

Attributes:

Rombauer

Carneros, United States

Chardonnay

750 ML

Food Matches:

This small section of Northern California is situated at the base of both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Carneros has made its reputation with its Pinot Noirs, which are filled with strawberry, cherry, spice, and chocolate, and are very rich and seductive. Chardonnay is also excellent, very buttery but not too fat.

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.