2/2007 TRAVIS CHARDONNAY 2002 (MONTEREY, RIVERVIEW VINEYARD, UNFILTERED)
This white wine is produced and bottled by Travis Vintners in Livermore, California. It's an interesting wine. This wine is the color of lemonade and slightly cloudy. The grapes were picked at the end of September when they were quite ripe. The wine is not aged in French oak barrels nor is it "inoculated for malolactic fermentation." The point of all this is to produce an un-American chardonnay, one that does not ooze vanilla. This wine is potent; its 15% alcohol and has a powerful sour pear note. Taking it bone cold was a mistake; it came off gassy (15%, by the way, is a bit much for a white wine.) Once it warmed to a little less than room temperature, this Travis chardonnay began to express itself. Soft floral notes appeared as did a gentle spiciness that one finds in Gewurztraminer or Riesling. Unusual and worth trying for $10. (Rating ***1/2)

To see if our retailer carries TRAVIS, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "TRAVIS" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass.

Labels: California, Chardonnay, Travis

 

1/2007 FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2005
Weeee- another bottle of Niebaum-Coppola wine! This $15 Chardonnay is quite a mouthful. It begins with a pear-like note then --FWIP!-- dishes a toasted vanilla flavor and honeysuckle. Yum. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer carries COPPOLA, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "COPPOLA" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.Niebaum-Coppola.com/.

Labels: California, Chardonnay, Francis Coppola

 

6/2006 THE RESERVE YELLOWTAIL CHARDONNAY
A fancy version of a much loved plonk? Hey, why not? This American-style Chardonnay is a little oaky, a little sweet, and generally pleasant. Chill, pour, slurp, and talk amongst yourselves... That's the nature of the beast... (Rating***1/4)

To see if our retailer carries YELLOW TAIL wines, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "YELLOWTAIL" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.YellowTailWines.com.

Labels: Australia, Chardonnay, Yellowtail