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Oakville Ranch Chardonnay

Our favorite new BIG (tasting) Chardonnay discovery under $35: rich golden color and intoxicating aromas of confection (smells like frosted Wedding Cake actually!) honeysuckle and orange marmalade lead into this elegant thriller to be enjoyed now or anytime over the next 3 years. It displays complex flavors that including macademia nuts, caramel, and tropical fruits melded together in a luxuriously texture for an delightful Chardonnay experience. 94+ points

BUY: Oakville Ranch Chardonnay Napa 2007

Calliope Muscat

Recently, a serious wine collector friend of TheWineInsiders asked us to attend his wife’s birthday celebration and bring the finest current wines we could access. This included a combination of extremely rare wines as well as a few undiscovered gems (see full list is below). Each wine was paired with a particular course of the meal to enhance the flavors. We enjoyed the 2001 Patz & Hall Chardonnay “Dutton Ranch” with lobster bisque. We savored every drip of the 2005 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes with fois gras, and then we paused to sample the various Syrah. Later, we sampled the Cabernets and Cabernet blends with an exquisite lamb course. The climax of the evening was the chocolate dessert and the 99 point rated Australian late harvest Muscat (which I would describe as a combination of d’Yquem and molasses).

Two important guidelines:

1. It’s very important to open each bottle earlier in the day to let them breathe – particularly if you’re pouring young (less than 10 years old) Cabernets with powerful tannins. The benefits of doing this:

• You get to sample a tiny bit of each wine early in the day (with a clean palate) and establish an opinion without any food or distractions.
• The wines will most likely improve as flavors develop several hours later when you enjoy them with the food. 

Notable winners below were the Hestan Cabernet and the Two Hands “Aphrodite” which were both enjoyable when we first uncorked them (around 2 p.m.) but were noticeably richer and more flamboyant approximately 6 hours later when we poured them to enjoy dinner. I personally rated each wine 2 – 3 points higher after decanting.

2) It’s great to have a few leftovers at the end of the evening. This particularly applies to the red wines so that you can enjoy a sip or two the next day (hangover permitting) on a relatively clean palate. Most big, young Cabernet blends and Syrah can normally stand to be open at least one day before the quality of the experience deteriorates.

The Full Birthday Celebration Tasting:

• 2001 Patz & Hall Chardonnay “Dutton Ranch”, Sonoma
  In a Rare Jerobaom Bottle
• 2005 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes, France
  Wine Spectator #4 “Wine of the Year” 2008
• 2004 Elderton “Command” Shiraz, Australia
  Robert Parker “Classic 98″ Rating
• 2006 Long Shadows “Sequel” Syrah, Washington
  Original “Grange” Shiraz Winemaker
• 2005 Spencer Rolloson “La Herradura” Syrah, Napa
  Wine Spectator “Outstanding 93″ Rating
• 2005 Meyer Estate Cabernet, Napa
  Brand New Release!
• 2006 Tor Family “To-Kalon” Cabernet, Napa
  French Laundry Restaurant “House” Favorite + 96 points RP!
• 2005 Hestan Estate Reserve Cabernet, Napa
  TheWineInsiders “Classic 97″ Rating
• 2005 Vina Cobos Malbec “Marchiori”, Argentina
  Robert Parker “Classic 98″ Rating
• 2005 Two Hands Aphrodite Cabernet, Australia
  Robert Parker “Classic 98″ Rating
• R L Buller Calliope Muscat Rutherglen, Australia
  Robert Parker “Classic 99″ Points

Frank Family Chardonnay

The 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay is multifaceted and vibrant; it opens with aromas of Kaffir lime leaves, yellow plum, juicy peaches, and dried pear. These bright aromas are countered by vanilla bean Crème brûlée, lemon curd and cinnamon baked apple. The palate is lively, smooth, and layered; bursting with pineapple, Bosc pear, and Russet apples, moving into spiced cake, and buttery pie crust, while being accented by a subtle hint of Thai ginger. 94 Points.

BUY: Frank Family Chardonnay Napa Valley 2007

INSIDER SCOOP: This wine is called “Angel’s Wine” (French) and we couldn’t agree more! We sampled for the first time at an ‘insider’ event last year and have been obsessed with this nectar ever since.

THE WINE INSDIERS “OUTSTANDING 95″ POINTS: “This profound wine exhibits superb opulence, full-bodied power, and stunning richness, definition, and intensity. Starting with aromas of orange marmalade, lemon oil, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, hazelnut, and subtle wood. The rich, ripe flavors include dried apricot, citrus oil and orange zest, as well as a gravelly minerality. This new release is still tightly woven (as of writing May 2007) but should blossom further over the next 3 – 5 years, peaking around 2011 in our best estimate! 95 points”

This wine is currently available for $55 (click here)

One of the Top 5 rarest and most collectible Chardonnays in the world since Wine Spectator rated last three vintages an unprecedented 94 – 98 points and  “best white wine in Australia” ..Only 100 cases were imported and we have less than 10 case to sell so ‘do the math’ and order now!

WINE SPECTATOR REVIEW: (not released yet but we expect it to be consistent with the 2001 vintage – - 98 points! – - which sold out in 48 hours!)

INSIDER SCOOP: We love this wine because it can “out Kistler – Kistler” for long term aging with elegant, bright fruit after 5+ years.

THE WINE INSIDERS “OUTSTANDING 96″ RATING: The 2005 Art Series is one of the finest Chardonnays I have ever tasted (period!). Possessing the texture, intensity, and precision of a great grand cru white Burgundy combined with elegant tropical fruit and lemon oil characteristic of Leeuwin’s top vintages. It builds subtly in the mouth offering huge flavor intensity, yet managing to remain elegant as well as authoritatively rich, and intense. Starting off with the trademark Leeuwin notes of pristine citrus, then notes of butter, oranges, honeysuckle, and pears are apparent, with the oak component kept well in the background. Tremendously intense and powerful, yet subtle, this young Chardonnay should drink well for 5-7 years, peaking in 2013 most likely.

This wine is currently available for $79 (click here)

THE WINE INSIDERS “OUTSTANDING 93″ RATING: Fulfills our expectations as the “boutique” Rombauer (same vineyard source) because this is a voluptuous, bold, full fruit Chardonnay in the “BIG” style white wine lovers adore. Rich tropical fruits are prominent with just enough oak to balance out this gorgeous creation perfect for sipping now or anytime over the next 3 years!

INTERVIEW WITH WINEMAKER DAVID TATE (August, 2008):

TWI: Since this Chardonnay is sourced from the Sangiacomo vineyard and that is the same site as the famed Rombauer Chardonnay how do you think the style of your chardonnay compares to Rombauer?

TATE: The Sangiacomo Vineyard site is perfect for making Chardonnay that has very focused fruit, more peach pear to tropical fruit, in fact to try to make anything different (more minerality Chablis style) would not work. Because of this, I like to try to let this purity of big fruit shine through. Therefore, the wine is just as big in size as the Rombauer Chardonnay (golden and viscous), but with less oak and butter – but more fruit.

TWI: Stylistically, what are you trying to achieve with this Chardonnay?

TATE: With a limited malolactic actic fermentation, and limited new oak (30%) I am allowing the Chardonnay from this vineyard to express itself. Since the malolactic was limited, the full viscosity in the mouth is a result of extended batonage and aging of the lees.

TWI: What are your favorite food pairings with this Chardonnay?

TATE: The classic pairing for this chardonnay would be a Creamy Fettuccini or Lobster Bisque, but a nice creamy Teleme cheese would do just as well. An edgier match would be an top end angus burger with blue cheese.

TWI: What is your favorite Chardonnay memory in life (so far)?

TATE: When I worked for Ridge Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains a decision was made to sample the Chardonnay by pressing small amounts of it, therefore getting a more homogeneous sample. We decided to keep the pressing lots over the days and make a small amount of non-oaked Chardonnay from it. The wine turned out to be spectacular, and still enjoyable to this day. A great surprise.

Currently this wine is available for $33 (click here)