RET AILER WINESELECTIONS FIVE STARS
(97) Staglin Salus Napa Valley Chardonnay 2007 (California). Staglin doesn’t just make great cabernet, it also makes great chardonnay; one would swear they were drinking great Meursault; light, perfectly balanced oak; truly a world-class California chardonnay. ($60)
(95) Lindaflor Chardonnay 2008 (Mendoza Argentina). Huge and full bodied; lots of oak, but well managed; from the property owned by Chateau le Gay. ($39)
(95) Charlet Pouilly Fuisse Les Vieux Murs 2008 (France). Inviting aromas of apple and honey; creamy with a long finish; elegant; an exceptional example of Pouilly Fuisse. ($27)
(94) Sequoia Grove Carneros Chardonnay 2009 (California). Winemaker Mike Trujillo has brought this chardonnay to new heights in quality and taste; gone are the days of slam you in the
face oak with a little fruit on the finish; this deftly crafted white burgundy-ish chardon- nay has hints of pear and apple in the nose with long flowing fla- vors on the palate, perfect integration of fruit and oak, superb depth and length and a finish that lingers on. ($25)
(94) MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2008 (California). This chardonnay offers nice flavors of melon, pineapple, apple, lemon and a hint of vanilla; big and complex with a rich creamy middle, this wine finishes crisp and dry with a perfect balance of acidity, fruit and a touch of oak. ($23)
The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel recommends a lineup of top quality/value chardonnays.
(96) Walter Hansel Russian River Valley North Slope Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 (California). Big and full bodied; lots of terroir; medium oak, but very well infused; a mouthful of flavor that would hold up to most white sauces; simply marvelous. ($40)
(94) Louis Michel & Fils Petit Chablis 2009 (France). Aromas of under-ripe apple and pear
with a hint of flint lead to fresh, lively flavors of those fruits with some citrus nuances; crisp acidity and minerality linger on the finish; match with cold shrimp. ($23)
Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • July/August 2011 • 49
For this issue, we asked members of the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel to recommend some of their favorite chardonnays. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’
s retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). If you’re a retail beverage
professional who would like to learn about participating in our panel, call Richard Brandes at 212-353-3832, or email him at rbrandes@m2media360.com.
