Tasting Room
ChardonnayWINE OF THE WEEK
Murphy-Goode
2005 Island Block, Sonoma - Chardonnay ($19)
A big, rich, showy chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of ripe apple, tart green apple, honey and toast. Balanced. Spicy finish.
2004 Russian River Valley - Chardonnay ($30)
A chardonnay with notes of apple, pear, honeydew and pineapple. Undermined by some off aromas and flavors.
2004 Carneros - Chardonnay ($18)
Ripe and elegant. A rich, round chardonnay with prominent oak. Notes of melon and caramel. Medium complexity.
2005 Stone Cote Vineyards, Sonoma - Chardonnay ($40)
Complex and full-bodied. Notes of apple, quince and spice. Undermined by some off aromas and flavors. Soft texture.
2005 Mendocino - Chardonnay ($14)
A spicy, toasty chardonnay. Notes of lemon curd, apple and melon. Clean flavors. Soft texture. Medium complexity.
2005 Russian River Valley - Chardonnay ($24)
A big chardonnay, with rich flavors. Elegant floral aromas. Notes of tart apple, quince, butterscotch and spice.
2004 Reserve, Sonoma County - Chardonnay ($28)
A rich, round chardonnay. Complex, with notes of apple, pear, melon, caramel, toast, vanilla and nutmeg.
2004 Carneros - Chardonnay ($35)
Toasty aromas. Notes of pear, tart apple and caramel. Complex and full-bodied. Showy, with pronounced oak.
2004 Reserve, Russian River Valley - Chardonnay ($25)
Complex and full-bodied. Aromas and flavors of tart apple, pear and toasty oak. Elegant and ripe.
TASTING PANEL: Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; Tom Simoneau, KSRO's "Wine Guy;" and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com