Tasting Room
ChardonnayWINE OF THE WEEK
Grgich Hills
2005 Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($40)
Complex and showy. Crisp with aromas and flavors of pear, pineapple, apricot, fig and honey. Well integrated. Long finish.
2005 California - Chardonnay ($14)
A subdued chardonnay. Light notes of pear and apple. Floral, nutty and citrusy. Medium complexity.
2005 Carneros - Chardonnay ($19)
A ripe, opulent style. Aromas and flavors of apple, spiced pear and toasty oak. Lush texture. Medium complexity.
2005 Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($36)
Floral and tropical, round and sweet. Notes of honeysuckle, peach, apricot and honey. Ripe and showy.
2005 Russian River Valley - Chardonnay ($20)
A ripe chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of banana, butter, coconut, dill, clove and mineral. Showy.
2005 Rancho Santa Rosa, California - Chardonnay ($30)
A buttery-style of chardonnay with some overripe flavors. Notes of caramel, butterscotch and toasty oak.
2005 Rhinefarm Vineyard, S.V., Sonoma - Chardonnay ($25)
A toasty chardonnay with tropical flavors. Notes of papaya, mango, guava, vanilla and almond. Medium-bodied.
2005 California - Chardonnay ($42)
Tastes a bit like a Sauternes. Slightly earthy, with aromas and flavors of apricot, honey and toasty oak. Full-bodied. Showy.
2006 Napa Valley - Chardonnay ($45)
A good food chardonnay. Nutty, with aromas and flavors of rose petal, fig, mint and toasty oak.
TASTING PANEL: Greg La Follette, winemaker of Tandem; Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill; Tom Capo, manager of the Wine Spectrum Bar & Shop; 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