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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/662062
www.cheersonline.com 55 March/April 2016 • right. This wine delivers each vintage and the 2014 is no slouch. ($12.99) (92) Flora Springs Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2013 (California). Bright, crisp aromas and fl avors of pear and golden delicious apples, balanced beautifully by toasty oak and crisp acidity. The fi nish is long and refreshing. ($35) (92) Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire 2014 (France). This wine begins with a fl inty aroma that leads the way into pure green apples and lemons on the palate. The mid-palate has fi ne richness that fi nishes with vibrant acidity. Drink this now; great when paired with seafood or a white sauce pasta dish. ($22.99) (92) Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2011 (France). As good as it gets for white Burgundy anywhere close to this price point. A high-energy chard that exhibits Meyer lemon, tart apple, allspice and honeysuckle. Nervy and persistent acidity keep the fl avors nicely focused. ($21.49) (92) Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay 2014 (Australia). A good wine at a good price. The non-toasty fl avor profi le is refreshingly crisp, speckled with peach and pineapple notes throughout. A zippy fi nish with sleek texture. ($10.99) FOUR STARS (91) Eden's Eve Chardonnay 2014 (California). A rich, ripe chardonnay, 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) J. Lohr Riverstone 2014 (California). Still our favorite "house" chardonnay after probably 16 consecutive releases. Now utilizing nine different clones, winemaker Jeff Meier continues to fi ne-tune the foundation white wine. Fresh and crisp, never cloying with excess fruit or oak. Well balanced. ($11.99) (91) Merino "Limestone Hill" Chardonnay 2012 (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) Old Cannery Row 2013 (California). A concentrated, full-bodied chardonnay that has expressive 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 (California). A complex chardonnay that manages to combine both elegance and power in its savory fl avors of pear, pineapple, vanilla and butterscotch. The supple smooth mouthfeel and a balancing core of acidity provide a well-structured, lengthy fi nish. ($24) (91) Paradise Ridge Chardonnay 2014 (California) 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) Qupé "Y" Block 2013 (California). 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) 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) Rock View Chardonnay 2014 (California). 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 carries over to the fi nish. ($27) (91) Sean Minor Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (California). Sean Minor is making chardonnay at a price consumers can get on board with. Whole-cluster pressed with natural malolactic fermen- tation occurring, the wine has enough acidity to still present itself as balanced as possible. This is a big feat, considering 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). (90) Alexana Winery 2013 (Oregon). This is Alexana's terroir-selection offering. A bal- ance of oak and stainless steel contribute to this classic Oregon new-world interpre- tation of chardonnay. Lynn Penner-Ash as a winemaker defi nitely adds to this wine's pedigree. ($42.99) (90) Banshee Chardonnay 2014 (California). Smooth and fl avorful with just the right balance of fruit and oak at a nice price. ($20) (90) California Square Chardonnay 2014 (California). A chardonnay that gains richness with air. Possesses 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 provides balance. ($19) (90) Cruz Alta Chardonnay Reserve 2015 (Argentina). A lively chardonnay that delivers expressive aromas and fl avors of green apple, pear, melon and light notes and roundness of vanilla. This wine offers refreshing acidity good structure and rich fruit. ($17) (90) DeWetshof "Limestone Hill" Chardonnay 2015 (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 drinking like twice of what you are paying for it. Dewetshof overdelivers again with its 2015 chardon- nay. 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)