Stateways

StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q March/April 2014 48 sourced from four distinct sub AVA's in the valley; primarily done in stain- less steel for fermentation, they add just a hint of oak aging to the mix; rich mouth feel with bright acidity; Apri- cots, pear and vanilla dominate the nose with rich fl avors of pears, melon, and white peaches. ($25) ++++ (91) Rock View Reserve Mendocino Chardonnay 2012 (Cali- fornia). Rich with depth in fl avor and creamy roundness on the palate; pretty layered notes of honey, fi g, vanilla and hazelnut; great long fi nish lingers. ($25) ++++ (91) St. Fran- cis Sonoma County Chardonnay 2011 (California). Medium bodied; butterscotch and pineapple notes with crisp acidity and rich lingering finish. ($17) ++++ (91) Benziger Sonoma County Char- donnay 2011 (California). Sustainably certifi ed, this is refreshing and evokes notes of lemon, pear apricot while fi nish- ing with a creamy texture. ($18) ++++ (90) Talbot Kali Hart Chardonnay 2011 (California). A light and fresh chardonnay typical of the Monterey styles; the mid palate brightness almost makes your palate forget about the delicate butter and slight caramel notes. ($21) ++++ (90) Decoy Sonoma County Chardonnay 2012 (California). Made with an emphasis on grapes from the cooler Sonoma Coast, this fresh and attractive wine displays aromas of green apple and pear, alongside citrus-inspired notes of tangerine and orange blossom; a plush mid-palate, perfectly integrated oak and balanced acidity. ($18) ++++ (90) Silver Buckle Lodi Chardonnay 2011 (California). An- other cooler climate example of Lodi fruit, light oak aging lets the fl avors shine; crisp apples, pineapple, and ripe pears; lighter style, easy drinking, clean crisp fi nish. ($27) ++++ (90) Parducci Small Lot Chardonnay 2012 (California). Defi - nitely cool climate chardonnay; sourced from select lots in Mendocino, it under- goes a balance of stainless steel fermen- tation with minimal oak aging; clean, crisp, lighter in style; hints of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch.($18) ++++ (90) Angeline California Chardonnay 2013 (California). A solid value, this chardonnay starts off with a burst of tropical fruit that transitions to a decadently textured toasty oak and vanilla; full-bodied and creamy with a citrusy , crisp fi nish. ($12) ++++ (90) Wild- haven Columbia Val- ley Chardonnay 2012 (Washington State). A pleasantly refresh- ing chardonnay that contains subtle notes of baking spices, but- terscotch and peach; the fi nish has a citrus-laden crispness. ($11) ++++ (90) Cruz Alta Reserve Chardonnay 2013 (Argentina). The grapes for this chardonnay were grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains; a crisp style that has generous apple and pear notes; a light touch of oak ties everything together nicely and the wine ends with a refreshingly long fi nish. ($11) ++++ (90) Muirwood Reserve St Lucia Chardonnay 2013 (California). T rop- ical fruit fl avors layered with creamy vanilla and butterscotch notes; elegant and heavy on the palate with a nutty spice that extends through the long fi nish. ($17) ++++ (90) Estancia Monterey County Chardonnay 2011 (Cali- fornia). Lush tropical fruits and soft creamy fi nish. ($15) ++++ (90) Los Vascos Chardonnay 2012 (Chile). From one of the old- est wine estates in Chile, the 2012 Los Vascos Chardonnay is an elegant offer- ing with notes of pineapple, banana and apricot framed by vibrant acidity and a crisp fi nish.($12) ++++ (90) DeLoach Central Coast Chardonnay 2012 (California). Beau- tifully crafted with lovely fl avors of lemon, pear and pineapple supported with pleasant minerality and nice, bal- anced acidity. ($13) ++++ (90) Pierre Labet Beaune Blanc Dessus Marconnets 2010 (France). Mouth-watering freshness with zippy lemon acidity; balanced with hints of white peaches and a slight pine- apple note; nice minerals in the middle with soft hint of barrel aging. ($30) ++++ (90) Toloso Unoaked Central Coast Chardonnay 2012 (California). Mostly estate grown fruit, this wine is done in a un-oaked style; night-harvested, cold pressed, stainless steel fermented; clean, crisp, fresh; hints of coconut and nutmeg on the nose lead to pineapple and melon fl avors. ($28) ++++ (90) Bogle Chardonnay 2012 (California). Bogle always over-delivers on quality and price; creamy with hints of apple and pear; affordable everyday quaffer ($10) ++++ (90) Clos La Chance Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2009 (California). Surprisingly well balanced walking a fi ne line between fruit, oak, acid and cream; ightly oaked; pleasant apple/pear fruit; thirst-quenching acid- ity, and just enough creaminess to give it a nice depth. ($15) ++++ (90) Canoe Ridge Vineyards The Expedition Horse Heaven Hills Chardonnay 2011 (Washington State). Aromas of peach and honeydew melon are swathed in scents of butter- scotch and subtle toasty oak; the palate is rich and creamy yet maintains the balancing acidity to pair well with food; lemongrass fl avors give way to tanger- ine and peach, glazed in buckwheat honey and butterscotch. ($20) ++++ (90) Franciscan Chardonnay 2012 (California). A little citrus on the nose followed by toasted oak on the palate; full bodied with a nice creamy fi nish. ($17) ++++ (90) Kunde Estate Char- donnay 2012 (California). A hint of melon on the nose, medium in body; rich and creamy fi nish. ($17)

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• From the Editor
• Dateline
• Brand Spotlight
• Growth Brands
• Social Responsibility
• The Sophisticated Spirit
• Playing Defense
• Top Quality/Value Chardonnay
• Products & Packaging
• Advertisers' Index