Stateways

47 StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q March/April 2014 and pineapple fl avors that are intense and focused; excellent depth, fi nishing with a long, persistent aftertaste. ($30) +++++ (93) Olivier Morin Con- stance Chitry Bourgogne Blanc 2011 (France). Chitry is west of Chablis and has the same Kimmeridgian soil; the classic minerality displayed in good Chablis shows here along with aromas and fl avors of under-ripe apple, pear and citrus; excellent Bourgogne Blanc to pair with shellfi sh. ($20) +++++ (93) Round Hill Char - donnay 2012 (California). Light to medium bodied, but surprisingly rich; minimal oak, citrus hints, with touches of vanilla, spice and butterscotch; per- fect as a fi rst chard for the beginner, but will surprise your friends in a blind tasting. ($15) +++++ (93) Moniker Mendocino Chardonnay 2012 (California). The Russian River actually starts up in Men- docino; the primary source for this wine is the La Ribera vineyard, family owned on the banks of the river; viognier from Hopland, and a different lot of chardon- nay are blended in and barrel fermented; great minerality, with pear and apple fl avors; rich and creamy. ($22) +++++ (93) Logan Chardonnay 2012 (California). From Talbott's Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Logan deliv- ers a food-friendly chardonnay with ripe peach, pear and hints of French Four Stars ++++ (91) Stuhlmuller Vineyards Estate Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2011 (California). Fresh, vibrant citrus aromas with a little pear and pineapple; sophisticated mouthfeel, boasting pear, citrus and lemon custard with hints of almond and clove; fabulous acidity adds to the elegant, fresh fi nish. ($26) ++++ (91) Kistler Les Noisetiers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2011 (California). Full bodied; supported by a baked citrus acidity; ripe pear fruit, a bit of sea salt minerality, a delicate creamy undertone with a long complex fi nish. ($60) ++++ (91) Columbia Winery Char- donnay 2012 (Washington State). Medium yellow-gold to the eye, with good weight; the nose is a heady mix of tree and tropical fruits, with a touch of yeastiness; the fruit and yeast are well integrated, in fl avor and texture; the fi nish extends for quite some time, bal- anced and supple; good value. ($14). ++++ (91) Catalpa T upungato Chardonnay 2012 (Argentina). Golden color with aromas of pineap- ple, apple and tasty oak; well balanced with mineral notes and a lingering fi nish. ($20) ++++ (91) Bearboat Chardon- nay 2011 (California). Hints of toast, creamy smooth with a fruity sweetness on the fi nish; good with chicken and a tarragon cream sauce. ($16) ++++ (91) Antica Napa Valley Chardonnay 2011 (California). This chardonnay has richness, yet remains elegant and delicate; generous fl avors of pear, melon and nectarine that are focused and linger on the palate; the fi nish is complex, adding to the wine's persistence and freshness. ($36) ++++ (91) Butternut Chardonnay 2011 (California). A luscious chardon- nay with big fl avors of butter, caramel and a hint of granny smith apple, topped off with a hint of smokiness; for serious chardonnay fans. ($18) ++++ (91) Rutherford Ranch Napa Chardonnay 2012 (Cali- fornia). Classic Napa chardonnay Oak; subtle complexity develops with each tasty sip; try with lobster. ($19) +++++ (93) Casa Lapostolle Grand Selection Casablanca Valley Char- donnay 2011 (Chile). A rich, buttery texture with hints of honey, apricot, peach, and citrus; a nuance of toasty oak rounds out the wine on the fi nish; stylis- tic and fl avorful. ($14) +++++ (92) Heitz Cellars Char- donnay 2012 (California). Lots of citrus and melon with balanced acidity and a whisper of oak. ($21) +++++ (92) Stasis Murmur Vine- yard Chardonnay 2011 (California). Stunning chardonnay from California's Santa Maria Valley; tiny production; great richness and complexity; nicely balanced. ($40) +++++ (92) Mer Soleil Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2011 (California). Citrus aroma; citrus fl avors with lemon predominating; hints of vanilla and honey; long fi nish. ($29) +++++ (92) Qupe Y Block Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2012 (California). Great balance and bright acidity; crisp apple and Asian pear fl a- vors with a lovely savory, buttered toast fi nish. ($23) +++++ (92) Fontanelle Castello Banfi Chardonnay 2012 (Italy). Pale yellow in the glass, with straw hints; the nose is a balance of fresh fruit, tree and tropical, with notes of sweet oak; the palate is a refl ection of the nose, with wonderful bright fruit, and good texture; the fi nish is quite long, with elegance and pedigree. ($20) +++++ (92) Cloisonne Napa V alley Chardonnay 2012 (California). Tropi- cal aromas jump from the glass; apple and citrus fl avors lead to a near perfect fi nish with hints of oak; superb value. ($20) +++++ (92) Domaine Roux Père & Fils Pouilly-Fuissé 2012 (France). A lighter, bright gold, in the glass; the nose is quite fresh, with notes of tree fruit, and hints of nuts and fl oral components; the palate is fresh, clean, and lively; very well integrated and bal- anced, this is a wine that is immediately satisfying, and can easily age for the mid-term. ($36) Rating System +++++ Five Stars (92-100) A top-fl ight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price/value relationship. ++++ Four Stars (86-91) A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back. +++ Three Stars (80-85) An above-average wine, at a reasonable price point, which many customers will enjoy. ++ Two Stars (70-79) An average wine. + One Star (50-69) A below-average wine.

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