Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/116557
#### (89) Michel Picard Bourgogne Chardonnay 2009 (France). A gorgeous bouquet of tropical fruit aromas, with banana, papaya and melon aromas; soft, round and succulent on the palate yet maintains bracing acidity; it keeps those tropical flavors in focus and a hint of butterscotch emerges in the aftertaste. ($18) #### (89) Gnarled Vine California Chardonnay 2011 (California). The bouquet is fresh and fruity with a mix of citrus and tropical aromas, zesty melon and a light whiff of butter; medium bodied, it is juicy on the palate too, and maintains admirable complexity and freshness with more tropical and citrus flavors and some light oak in the finish. ($13) #### (89) Cooper Station Monterey Chardonnay 2011 (California). Good aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple and banana coupled with ripe apples; medium-bodied on the palate with notes of butterscotch and toasted vanilla. ($11) #### (89) Tres Palacios Reserve Chardonnay 2011 (Chile). No oak; clean; smooth drinking with hints of ripe pineapple and banana. ($9) #### (89) Gravelly Ford Arroyo Seco Private Reserve Chardonnay 2011 (California). The bouquet is subtle but nicely complex, with mild citrus, lychee and cream notes; juicy and tart fruit on the palate, with crisp acidity keeping it dry; good balance and moderate weight; put together quite nicely. ($15) #### (89) Mark West Chardonnay 2010 (California). A lot of pear in the aroma with some Honey Crisp apple; the strong pear notes are evident in the flavor as well along with some vanilla and apple; full mouthfeel and nice long finish. ($10) #### (89) 2010 Laurent Miquel L'Artisan Chardonnay 2010 (France). Clean and dry with nice complexity for the price. ($14) #### (89) A by Acacia California Chardonnay 2010 (California). Toasty nose; balanced with medium weight; stone fruit and medium length on the finish; great value. ($12) #### (89) Eden Ridge Mendocino Chardonnay 2011 (California). Aromas of good tropical fruits intermingling with notes of Meyer lemons at the core; tied together with nice creamy butterscotch and vanilla notes; tasty flavors of stone fruits. ($11) #### (88) Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Sonoma County Chardonnay 2011 (California). Fruity, mineral aroma; citrus and vanilla with oaky flavor; long finish. ($19) #### (88) Black Stallion Chardonnay 2010 (California). Tasty Napa Valley juice with good acidity, medium body and nice apple, pear and vanilla notes. ($16) #### (88) Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 (California). Oaky nose, and releases aromas of green apple and pear; green balanced acidity; long finish. ($11) #### (87) Chalone Vineyard Monterrey County Chardonnay 2010 (California). Light body with a very bright tropical notes and a touch of licorice in the nose; peaches and pears round this wine out with a kiss of toasty oak. ($9) #### (87) Gen5 Lodi Chardonnay 2011 (California). Clean and pure with notes of 76 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • March/April 2013 kiwi, guava and pineapple and a touch of vanilla; hint of creaminess; wonderful value. ($10) #### (87) Alias California Chardonnay 2010 (California). Pretty forward in the nose, with buttered greens and leafy spinach mixing with casaba and pear aromas; a definite butter note on the palate, but juicy melon, pear and apple flavors roll in nicely; medium bodied and mild, the butter reprises in the aftertaste, but stays balanced. ($9) #### (86) H3 (Horse Heaven Hills) Chardonnay 2009 (Washington State). Medium-bodied with very nice layers of fruits; aromas of pineapple and pear with a nice vanilla coconut finish. ($16) #### (86) Four Vines Naked Unoaked Chardonnay 2011 (California). Citrus nose; citrus and minerals on the palate; medium finish; a good buy for those looking for an unoaked chardonnay. ($11) #### (86) One Hope Chardonnay 2010 (California). Clear, light color, full fruity nose with a medium to full body in the mouth; crisp with notes of honeysuckle, white melon and pineapple; soft lingering finish; easy to drink cocktail wine. ($10)