StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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47 StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ March/April 2016 the consumer can actually get on board with. Whole-cluster pressed with natural malolactic fermentation occurring, the wine has enough acidity to still present itself as balanced as possible. This is a big feat considered it was aged for 10 months in French Oak Barrels. A toast to a more classic California Chardonnay with pear and tropical fruit notes, and a background of vanilla and baked apples. ($19.99). (91) Merino 'Limestone Hill' Chardonnay 2012 (Limari Valley, Chile). A beautiful Chilean Chard with no malo! Aromas of orange peel, lemon and clove lead to fl avors of green apple, more spice and some chalky minerality. Lots of class to this one. ($29.99) (91) Qupé "Y" Block 2013 (Santa Barbara County, CA). A big, rich chardonnay, overfl owing with ripe mango and apricot fl avors. Crisp acidity with layers of fruit that build to an attractive fi nish. Perfect when served with a creamy cheese like Camembert, and walnuts. ($19.99) (91) Paradise Ridge Chardonnay 2014 (Russian River, CA) Very clean, golden light color, vibrant notes of apples, a hint of citrus and toasty creaminess, full mouthfeel, white fl owers, a hint of magnolia blossoms, generous lushness balanced with clean refreshing acidity. An excellent example of a Russian River Chardonnay. ($22.99-27.99) (91) Eden's Eve Chardonnay 2014 (Rus- sian River Valley, CA). A rich, ripe char- donnay, medium body, with delicate fl avors of pear, green apple. The wine builds intensity and ends with an oak- infl uenced vanilla fi nish. ($29) (91) Rock View Chardonnay 2014 (Men- docino, CA). Elegant with a layered creamy roundness on the palate that complements the acidity. Rich notes of pear, apple and citrus provide a great initial fl avor that car- ries over to the fi nish. ($27) (91) River Road Chardonnay Unoaked 2015 (California). Crisp, pure fl avors of white peach, nectarin and rich melon are not impeded by any oak infl uence. There is a great mouthfeel with savory notes from the bright acidity and moderate alcohol. ($17) (91) Old Cannery Row 2013 (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA). A concentrated, full- bodied chardonnay that has expres- sive aromas and fl avors of toasty oak, vanilla and tropical fruits. The bold, rich mouthfeel provides a fi nish that is smooth and expansive. ($24) (91) Old Cannery Row Raymond Ranch 2013 (Monterey, CA). A complex char- donnay that manages to combine both elegance and power in its savory fl avors of pear, pineapple, vanilla and butter- scotch. The supple smooth mouthfeel and a balancing core of acidity provide a well-structured, lengthy fi nish. ($24) (91) J.Lohr Vineyards and Wines J.Lohr Riverstone 2014 (Monterey, CA). Still our favorite "house" Chardonnay after probably 16 consecutive releases. Now utilizing nine different clones, Wine- maker Jeff Meier continues to fi ne-tune their foundation white wine. Fresh and crisp, never cloying with excess fruit or oak. Well balanced. ($11.99) (90) J.Lohr Vineyards and Wines Octo- ber Night 2014 (Monterey, CA). Part of Lohr's expanding vineyard series. Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel shows a deft touch with this wine sourced from the Block 9 planting, primarily using the Musque clone. Coupled with a very reg- imented fermentation and barrel pro- gram, the result is a powerful, aromatic, fl oral wine of great complexity. Beautiful tropical fruit and touches of vanilla, and butterscotch. ($24.99) (90) Dutton Goldfi eld, Dutton Ranch 2013 (Russian River Valley, CA). Light gold in color with an aroma of honeysuckle and assorted citrus fruits. Opens up to a pleasing mix of green apple and pear fruit. The fi nish is more intense with a combination of citrus, ginger and lem- ongrass. Bright and tangy. ($36.99) (90) Domaine Talmard Macon Chardonnay, Noble Wines (Burgundy, France). Totally natural, this wine uses no added yeast, no MLF, and no oak. Just the natural, delicious Chardonnay juice. A Recoltant wine, it is actually produced in the 1000- year old village of Chardonnay. ($16) (90) Schug Chardonnay Carneros Stacole. A classy wine, rich and powerful, yet soft and gracious at the same time. The tex- ture is silky, with overtones of pear and citrus. A perfect match for creamy pasta and lobster. ($25) (90) Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay 2013 (Russian River Ranches, CA). Golden color with nice clear bright legs, nose with hints of toast and apples, medium- to-semi-full mouth feel, beautiful clean acidity balanced, elegant and creamy notes, ripe, and fi nishes long. Very gen- erous. ($17.99-21.99) (90) DeWetshof "Limestone Hill" Chardon- nay 2015 (Robertson Valley, South Africa). This unoaked venture will really shock you. Starting with that most drinkers have yet to get into Chardonnay from South Africa, and fi nishing with this wine drink- ing like twice of what you are paying for it. Dewetshof over-delivers again with their 2015 Chardonnay. Refreshing and pure fruit fl avors of apple, pear and citrus on the palate, this wine fi nishes as clean as can be. ($14.99) (90) Monticello Chardonnay Estate 2014 (Oak Knoll, OR). A full-bodied char- donnay whose upfront citrus and green apple notes are held together with a fi rm-structured yet subtle oak creami- ness. The bold texture is complimented by a bright acidity that makes for a memorable chardonnay. ($35) (90) Seven Rings Chardonnay 2014 (Mon- terey, CA). A bold full-bodied Chardon- nay with big tropical notes of pineapple, melon and a hint of guava. The oak im- parts some butterscotch, but mostly sup- plies structure. ($19) (90) Truth and Valor Chardonnay 2014 (Paso Robles, CA). Elegant and well- expressed notes of nectarine, pineapple and green apple dominate the palate and nose. Oak is evident yet conservatively used and provides more of a structure for the fruit rather than being a fl avor driver. ($19) (90) California Square Chardonnay 2014 (Russian River Valley, CA). A Chardon- nay that gains richness with air. Pos- sesses fl avors of tropical fruit and pears, along with vanilla and butter, from the oak infl uence. Powerful fruit skillfully blended with judicious use of oak pro- vides balance. ($19) (90) Emily Chardonnay 2013 (Lodi, CA). Elegant and balanced Chardonnay with fl avors of lemon zest, bartlett-pear and a hint of piecrust. Medium bodied yet rich in fl avor, the savory acidity and round- ness of the fruit are very complementary. ($34)