AlcoholReviews.com - Chardonnay - The Buy List for Autumn 2001

AlcoholReviews.com

Chardonnays-
The Buy List for Autumn 2001
by AlcoholReviews.com Staff

Chardonnays- they're inescapable in America. You see them in nearly every restaurant that serves wine, you see them in grocery stores. But which to buy?

Recently AlcoholReviews.com tasted a bevy of Chardonnays. Below you will find those that we think are worth purchasing. Wines are listed in alphabetical order and range from $7 to $28. All of those listed met or exceeeded minimal taste standards.

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Our rating scale is:

*Horrid- Won't drink unless threatened with violence.
**Tolerable- Will drink if it is free.
***Good- Will drink and even pay for.
****Very Good- Will seek out for purchase.
*****Superb- Will walk miles to acquire.

Antonin Rodet 1999 ($11)
Oak, green apple and toast. The oak is mild, and the result is very lovely and very French. (Rating ***1/2)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.winesellersltd.com

Brancott Gisborne 2000 ($11)
This one slipped our eye for the better part of a year. There it sat- misracked with some aging Brunellos. Oh well, hopefully there still is some left on the shelves. Tastes of green apple, grapefruit and burnt orange peel. A little wild but fundamentally sound and enjoyable. (Rating ***)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.aboutwine.com

Brancott Gisborne Reserve 1999 ($17)
A hefty improvement over the standard version. This New Zealand Chardonnay is more viscous, more gentle and balanced, and tasting of green apple, grapefruit, and toast. Nice. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.aboutwine.com

Concha y Toro Xplorador 2000 ($7)
Fresh fruit, vanilla bean and a touch of toast. A lot of wine for a little money. Best Buy. (Rating ***1/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.conchaytorousa.com

Jacob's Creek 1999 ($8)
Like so many of the Jacob's Creek wines, great bang for the buck. Barrel fruit, even a strange note of key lime and soft oak. Best Buy. (Rating ***1/2)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.jacobscreek.com.au

Jacob's Creek Reserve Padthaway ($18)
Oak, lemon, and no rough edges or whiffs of alcohol. Highly recommnded. (Rating ****)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.jacobscreek.com.au

Liberty School Central Coast 2000 ($13)
A label we hadn't heard of previously, made in Pasa Robles, California. Tastes of apple, grapefruit and toast. (Rating ***)

Maison Nicolas Reserve 2000 ($7)
Imported by Luneau USA Inc., Maison Nicolas is a mild Chardonnay. No booming oak here, this is French. The body is a bit thin, but the taste is solid- grapefruit and toast. (Rating ***)

Monterra 1999 Monteray ($10)
What a bargain! This Californian has big flavor- thick cream, peaches, apples. A very fun Chardonnay. Not for those who love French style, quite probably, but everyone else will enjoy it. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.aboutwine.com

Santa Barbara Reserve Santa Ynez Valley 1998 ($22)
One of the more unusual Chardonnays we've ever tasted. But no surprise- Santa Barbara has regularly proven a delightful suprise to our tasters. Apricot, peach, grapefruit, barrel- unforgetable. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.winesellersltd.com or http://www.sbwinery.com/

Stonehaven 2000 ($9)
A little boozy but as always with Stonehaven, more than acceptable. Sports lemon and canteloupe notes. (Rating ***1/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.StoneHavenWines.com

Stonehaven Limestone Coast 1999 ($18)
Once again- lemon, though less canteloupe and some vanilla bean. Allow this Australian to warm to 50-55 degrees farenheit its plume opens nicely. (Rating ***1/2)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.StoneHavenWines.com

Te Kairanga Martinborough 2000 ($22)
The wild man wines of New Zealand return! A very enjoyable and big Chardonnay- it's creamy with a lemon note and toast on the close. Yum. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.winesellersltd.com

Te Kairanga Martinborough Reserve 2000 ($28)
The best of the bunch. Big like the above Te Kairanga, but different. It sports notes of orange, grapefruit, toast and vanilla bean. Have one glass and you'll want another, guaranteed. Highly recommended.
(Rating ****)

For more info on this wine, surf to: http://www.winesellersltd.com

Reviewed 10/01

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