Wine on the Radio - October 4, 2004      Listen

Sonoma Chardonnay                        Recommendations

Did you know that one of the most amazing things about wine - and probably a big reason people get so into it - is how the grapes seem to transport a bit of where they're from into every sip?  

It's that bit of magic that makes a chardonnay from France so different from one from California and even chardonnays from Napa and Sonoma each unique, too.  

Sonoma chardonnays in particular strike us as pretty distinctive.   That means they are certainly not shy about having a lot of flavor, but the cooling sea breezes of Carneros and the fog that works up the Russian River seem to add a little edge to them . . . a tickle of crispness.  

Sonoma is a potpourri of microclimates so there's no shortage of subtle differences in the wines but when it comes to Chardonnay, Sonoma does have a style of its own.  

Sometimes we may take Chardonnay for granted so rediscover it, starting with Sonoma .

Pop the cork™.                 

Sonoma Travel on The Wine Experience

Our Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

Sonoma Chardonnay

Geyser Peak 2002 Chardonnay $12
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
The color is pale straw with attractive green hues. The nose shows lifted pear and tropical fruit characters, typical of the Geyser Peak style

 

Beaulieu - BV 2002 Sonoma Chardonnay $15
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Very lovely, intense and classic white peach aromas of Sonoma Chardonnay, layered with overtones of cinnamon-nut and vanilla from the barrels

 

Dry Creek Vineyard 2001 Chardonnay $15
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
Aromatic citrus bouquet mingles with hints of pineapple, honeysuckle, and orange blossom

 

Ch. St. Jean 2002 Chardonnay $15
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Rich tropical fruit with ripe pear and apple aromas combine with buttery and smoky notes fill the nose of this Chardonnay

 

Murphy-Goode 2001 Chardonnay $14
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
A blend of fruit from the Alexander Valley and the Russian River provide rich tropical touches and crisp green apple with added complexity coming from barrel fermentation

 

Kendall-Jackson 2002 Grand Reserve Chardonnay $18
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
Rich fruit, layered complexity and seamless elegance are the hallmarks of our Grand Reserve Chardonnay

 

Clos du Bois 2002 Calcaire Vineyard Chardonnay $20
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
"Distinctive and individualistic, with mineral, apricot, citrus and wildflower notes -- not your typical Chardonnay. This is possibly the result of clonal variations. The wine drinks smooth, creamy, dry and complex, with a peppery finish."
- Wine Enthusiast

Landmark 2002 Overlook Chardonnay $20
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Loads of rich flavors yet with a sense of elegance and finesse, with layers of ripe, spicy, apple, pear and buttery notes, finishing with lively, well-integrated acidity and a burst of flavor on the aftertaste

 

Iron Horse 2001 Estate Chardonnay $22
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
We feel this vintage has yielded the finest Chardonnay we have yet to produce. The Estate represents a blend from 10 different blocks of vineyards on our Green Valley property

 

Ferrari Carano 2002 Chardonnay $30
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
stylish version of this classic is a blend of Chardonnay grapes from eight of our own vineyards to make a multi-dimensional wine with layers of rich tropical fruit flavors

 

Chalk Hill 2000 Estate Vineyard Selection Chardonnay $60
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
The Chardonnay at Block B on our Oak Hill site was planted in 1974, making it one of the two oldest vineyards at Chalk Hill. Though its rootstocks, budwood and trellis system no longer seem "cutting edge," the vineyard consistently proves one of the basic tenets of winemaking dogma: site is the most important factor in grape and wine quality