Tasting Room
ChardonnayWINE OF THE WEEK
Taft Street
2005 Sonoma County - Chardonnay ($13)
A crisp chardonnay with lovely aromas and flavors of green apple, toasty oak, caraway and sandalwood. Rich and ripe. Medium-bodied.
2005 Reserve, Russian River Valley - Chardonnay ($17)
A big buttery-styled chardonnay. Notes of green apple, kiwi, butterscotch and caramel. Short finish. Medium complexity.
2005 Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($18)
A well-made chardonnay with wide appeal. Aromas and flavors of pear, apple, vanilla and toasty oak. A bit tart.
2004 Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($73)
A chardonnay with great balance. Aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, orange peel and spice. Has a riesling character.
2005 Sonoma Valley - Chardonnay ($16)
A chardonnay with tropical flavors. Notes of peach, sweet oak and spice. Medium-bodied. Rich and showy.
2005 Dutton Ranch, RRV, Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($39)
A smoky chardonnay with delicate floral notes. Flavors of apple, melon, toast and spice.
2005 Home Ranch, Dry Creek Valley - Chardonnay ($25)
An oak-driven chardonnay with a good mouth-feel. Notes of guava, orange peel, lemon, toast and butterscotch.
2005 Sonoma Coast - Chardonnay ($20)
A ripe, fruit-forward chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of green apple, lime and spice. Medium complexity. Soft.
2005 Sonoma County - Chardonnay ($17)
A good chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of apple, toast and spice. Slightly undermined by disjointed tannins.
2005 Alexander Valley - Chardonnay ($30)
A showy chardonnay. Notes of apple, pear, toast and spice. Slightly sweet, with a tart finish. Medium complexity.
2005 Sonoma County - Chardonnay ($25)
A complex chardonnay with lively flavors. Notes of guava, quince, toast and lemon. Rich and full-bodied.
TASTING PANEL: Greg LaFollette, owner/manager of Tandem Winery; Tom Simoneau, "KSRO's Wine Guy;" Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; 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