Fine Wines : Chardonnay

Some prefer gold, with its heavy, honeyed highlights and warm, rich glow. But some prefer silver, lighter on its feet, clean and crisp, bright and steely. We're not talking about watches here, or earrings, either. This "Silver" Chardonnay from Mer Soleil is, as the name suggests, an alternative to the gold label. There is no oak on the Silver and not much that is heavy, or rich and buttery either. What there is is plenty of refreshingly clean and minerally Chardonnay fruit. Delicious poolside 92 points Wine Spectator: "Delicious, with pure, rich, concentrated pear, citrus, honeysuckle and spicy apple flavors that are complex and well-focused, with a long, juicy aftertaste. Drink now through 2010. 4,600 cases made." (05/07)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Bold, rich and layered, with a medley of smoky fig, toasty oak, hazelnut, and roasted marshmallow flavors that are pure, focused, intense and concentrated, with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2015." (WS Advance, 06/10)

A classic Napa Chardonnay, this wine shows a fragrant varietal nose of white fruits and subtle vanilla with toasty nuances highlighting pear, pineapple and melon fruit flavors set in a supple, discreet oak structure.

Our Monterey Chardonnay is rich, bold and beautifully balanced. It possesses an intriguing combination of grapefruit, pear and vanilla imparted by traditional barrel fermentation. The flavors are luscious, fruit forward and distinctly mineral thanks to our unique inner-coastal soils. As with all of our wines, the finish is crisp, structured and long.

Really pretty aromatics of peaches, pineapples, and lemon zest. Stone fruit flavors hit the mouth in the forepalate and develop towards the back end into a tropical medley, finally finishing with a crisp, apple tart. There are some subtle oak nuances, primarily in the form of a delicate caramel and butterscotch layer. Good cool climate acidity extends the finish. If you are feeling creative, try these dishes prepared for the Chardonnay by top chefs at some of my recent winemaker dinners around the country: crab cakes topped by a fresh caper sauce (Le Cordon Bleu – Las Vegas), a lobster salad with citrus, shaved fennel, white asparagus, and a fennel burre blanc (Cafe Ponte – Tampa), and a hearty Cioppino with scallops, clams, and shrimp (Fleming’s Steakhouse, Coral Gables).

The 2005 vintage marks the nineteenth year of production of our J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay, from our vineyards in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. Each year, starting in 1995, we have experimented with and have incorporated higher percentages of traditional Burgundian production techniques into Riverstone, until the desired complexity and end-results were achieved (reaching 60% in 2000). The result is a complex and nuanced Chardonnay with an abundance of Arroyo Seco fruit, with subtle barrel fermentation and malolactic character. The vines are grown primarily on Elder loam soils underlain by "riverstones" deposited over thousands of years from the Arroyo Seco River, allowing a four-foot rooting zone that keeps the vines' vegetative growth and fruit in balance. Additionally, the cool climate and winds of the Salinas Valley extend the growing season and retain the natural grape acids and intense varietal character of the Chardonnay.

Have your heard about Avant yet? It’s our new, lightly oaked Chardonnay. We’re really excited about it.

Avant is currently available in a few select markets, but hits the shelves nationally in the Spring. It’s a new take on Chardonnay from us at Kendall-Jackson. A lot of effort has gone into Avant to make sure the wine meets our standards and still delivers the same quality that you expect. And you know what? It’s really good.

Elegant and tropical with hits of lemon and other citrus fruits. Notes of Fuji apple carry throughout this beautifully balanced and delightful Chardonnay. Lushly layered with an enchanting creamy texture and a finish that lingers on and on.

Mingles refreshing flavors of honey dew melon, apricot, pink grapefruit and white pepper. Added hinds of honeysuckle and a creamy mouth feel result in a soft, dry wine that is excellent for food pairing or simply sipping.

Blend includes: 31% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Chardonnay, 13% Semillon, 11% Viognier, 9% Pinot Blanc, 8% Roussanne, 4% Marsanne, 3% Grenache Blanc, 2% Gewürztraminer, 1% Chenin Blanc.

Combining grapes from the cool climate regions of southern Sonoma Valley and the Russian River Valley, Kenwood's Sonoma County Chardonnay nicely balances the classic fruit flavors of this varietal with subtle notes of French oak aging. Fruit aromas of pippin apples and banana combine with rich vanilla and gingerbread notes, lush and viscous mouth feel with a crisp, lingering finish.