2004 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay

We had dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville to celebrate our anniversary (a few days early). This was one of two half-bottles of wine that we ordered. This was to pair with the first few courses of the meal.

The French Laundry is way over the top - this was the most expensive meal I have ever eaten. I can't even count how many courses of food were served - a lot. Very small dishes though. very French - one of Thomas Keller's restaurants along with Per Se in New York City and Bouchon and Ad Hoc in Yountville.

Martinelli is located just outside of the town of Windsor in Sonoma County. It is in the Russian River Valley. They make many exceptional wines, especially their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. This Chardonnay is made with grapes from one of their estate vineyards that used to be an apple orchard.

Straw in color, it was quite nice to look at. A very ripe and powerful nose full of apple and pear. The apple and pear came through on the palate as did some strong hints of oak. Good thing it was served at near room temperature. It was well balanced and the flavors were layered nicely with a smooth, long finish. All and all, a very good wine from a winery from whom we have come to expect very good wines.

2005 Walter Hansel Chardonnay - The North Slope Vineyard

What better to have for dinner on a cold (for California) winter night than homemade chicken soup. That's exactly what Caren made today. And we served this delicious wine alongside.

The North Slope vineyard of Walter Hansel's (in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County just northwest of the city of Santa Rosa) is planted with French clones 95 and 76 that are grown on the north edge of the property where it slopes down 28 feet. It seems to produce more of a creamy more fruit driven wine.

Robert Parker writes: "This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California."

Wine Advocate tasting notes: Burgundian notes of hazelnut, brioche, white currants, and hints of peach and crushed rocks are impressive and intense. This is a full-bodied Chardonnay with crisp acidity that should age nicely for 5-6 years. 93 points.

At a price of about $35 (from the winery) this Chardonnay is comparable in quality to wines twice the price.

2005 Eric Kent Chardonnay - Russian River Valley

Another great white wine served with appetizers prior to our New Year's Eve dinner. Eric Kent Wine Cellars always puts artwork from local Sonoma artists on the back label of their bottles.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: A golden straw in color, the ‘05 vintage layers exotic spice and floral notes on top of a crisp green apple and minerality on the nose. Then the palate takes over with full flavors of honeydew melon and tangerine leading to a hint of hazelnut to round out the long finish. Bright acidity buoys the entire ensemble and keeps it lively throughout. Only in the background (where it belongs) does tight-grained French oak provide structural support that knits the entire package together. Delicious now, this Chardonnay should just get better and better over the next couple of years. 225 cases made.

92 pts. – Wine Spectator. Floral, peach, honeysuckle and melon aromas are distinctive, and the fruit is pure on the palate, with a hint of spice. Ends with an elegant, graceful aftertaste.

2003 Tantara Chardonnay - Dierberg Vineyard

This medium-bodied Chardonnay is from Tantara Winery, located just outside of Santa Maria, CA. Actually, the winery is located in Santa Barbara County, a stone's throw from the San Luis Obispo County line.

Took the bottle from the cellar, chilled it down more for a few hours, then opened it and let it sit for about 20 minutes before we had dinner.

It had a nose of citrus and tropical fruit. Similar flavors on the palate.

Robert Parker gave this wine a 90 point rating back in August, 2005.

We served this wine with a homemade seafood chowder (tomato-based) that Caren put together, along with a salad of mixed greens and toasted garlic bread.

2004 Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard

This is a nice California Chardonnay - nothing spectacular. From the Santa Maria Valley on the Central Coast. It is a price performer, especially since it is a staple in Costco's wine department. Apples, butter, a little oak, some citrus flavors.

We served it with roasted Cornish game hen and steamed vegetables.

2004 Kumeu River Estate Bottled Chardonnay

This was the white wine we served with the "debate watching" dinner last night.

A very intriguing Chardonnay from Kumeu River Wines, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City on the North Island of New Zealand. The winery was established in 1944 shortly after Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté migrated from Yugoslavia (there are those Croatian winemakers again).

The beautiful peach and hazelnut aromas along with the silky textural richness are distinct characteristics of this wine. U.S. wine critics love the Kumeu River Chardonnays. They taste a lot like a French Chablis and nothing like an oaky California Chardonnay.

Like many wines from New Zealand, this wine had a screw cap, unusual for a Chardonnay.

2004 Chardonnay, Carneros, Sangiacomo Vineyard

Another wonderful wine from Doug Peters out of his warehouse winemaking facility just north of the town of Sebastopol in Sonoma County.

Winemaker's notes: This delicious, beautifully balanced chardonnay reflects both its Burgundian vinification and its Carneros single vineyard terroir. On the nose the wine exhibits fragrant floral and tropical fruit aromas. On the palate, the wine showcases creamy meyer lemon, honeydew, pineapple, and vanilla notes, followed by light mineral, caramel and butterscotch notes on the seamless finish. This sumptuous golden blonde chardonnay is drinking beautifully now in its youth, and will continue to mature throughout the course of the decade.

Doug's description is "right on."

91 Points-Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Highly Recommended-Appellation America, November 2006

Served this with a light dinner of salad and flatbread pizza.

2005 J. Rochioli Russian River Valley Chardonnay


A blend from three of Rochioli's Estate Chardonnay vineyards: 46% River Block, 44% Mid 40 vineyard, 10% Sweetwater vineyard. For people, like me, that can't get on Rochioli's mailing list that currently has a 5+ year wait, this is something that is available and is worth buying and drinking. Second wine we brought to Ed and Elyn's pool party.

• Color: Straw yellow.
• Aroma: Aromas of ripe apple, tropical fruit and a touch of spice.
• Taste: Rich apple flavors and a crisp acidity.
• 2150 cases were produced.

2005 Walter Hansel "Estate" Russian River Chardonnay

From the winery's website:

"Walter Hansel Winery is located in Sonoma County at the southern tip of the Russian River Valley near the Sebastopol hills. It is bordered to the north by the Santa Rosa Creek and to the west by a tributary of the Russian River known as the Laguna de Santa Rosa. This location is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the nights and mornings are cooled by coastal fog yet the mid-days warm up to perfect grape ripening temperatures.

Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant 250 vines in 1978. Stephen Hansel, Walter’s son, planted additional acres in the late 1980’s and began marketing wine in 1998. New vineyards and a new winemaking facility were added at the family’s estate in 1999."

We met Stephen in February when we called for an appointment at the winery during a trip to Sonoma. Down a dirt road, we found a small winery building, and out walked Stephen in business attire suitable for an office environment. You don't find guys like Stephen Hansel in the wine business very often. He owns several of the largest car dealerships in Sonoma, and wine is just his hobby.

He is a perfectionist, attending to every aspect of growing grape vines, harvesting, and producing wine. Even with all the high scores and press lately, his prices have remained incredibly low. Plus, he doesn't plan on raising his prices, or increasing production. All his wines come from grapes grown on his property.

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker - 91 Points
The 2005 Chardonnay Estate’s tight, mineral-dominated perfume exhibits citrus-like notes intermixed with wet stone, subtle brioche, orange rind, and hazelnut aromas.

We drank this wine with a dinner of BBQ chicken, cole slaw, Caren's famous BBQ beans, and sliced melon. The wine was incredibly good.

Can't wait to compare it to White Burgundies from France. Hint - stay tuned for next week.

Italian Wines

Last night we attended a charity dinner at Barry and Laurie's house for Meals on Wheels Delaware. The theme was Italian wines.

Here is a list of the dinner courses and the wines that were served with each:

Appetizer course: Bruno Giacosa Extra Brut Vino Spumante. Pleasant sparkling wine. Tasted a lot like a French champagne.

Salad course: Rocche dei Manzoni L'Angelica Chardonnay, 2003. From Piedmont. On the lighter side for a Chardonnay.

Appetizer course: Planeta Chardonnay, Sicilia, 2005. Big and bold for a Chardonnay. #50 in Wine Spectator 2007 Top 100 rankings.

Small plates course:
1) Antinori Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso, 1999, Tuscany. #4 in Wine Spectator 2004 Top 100 rankings. Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah blend.
2) Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Reserva, 2001. A classic. Still available for sale at several internet retailers. Score: 96.

Entree': Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc, 2000, Piedmont. Served from a magnum bottle (1.5L). Fantastic. Score: 98.

Dessert: Fubbiano Vin Santo, 2001, Tuscany. I wasn't crazy about this wine. I've had other Vin Santo wines that I prefer.