2004 Vintage California Chardonnay
004 marks the year for great California Chardonnays. The vintages are exceptionally excellent, fruity and well-balanced. The 2004 Chardonnays also are somewhat more appealing than the 2003 wines. It is then such a great opportunity for us to buy 2004 vintages, because their texture, aroma and flavor have just fleshed out. To get the most of your wine drinking experience, taste and compare two examples of the wines below. Be observant of their distinguishing characteristics and texture. Taste Hahn with the Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay.
These wines feature such ripe flavor and Central Coast fruit origin. Try the two Carneros Chardonnays; note the subtle complexity of Clos Pegase and the inherent richness of MacRostie. Compare Girard with the Talley Chardonnay; examine the crispness of Girard and the flamboyant character of Talley.
California Chardonnay Reviews
Beringer, 2004 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY $15-$16
Fruity and refreshing. Full-bodied and softly textured. Well-balanced, medium long on the finish. Tasting of tropical fruit, roasted nut, lemon peel and vanilla. Drink through 2007.
Clos Pegase, 2004 CHARDONNAY, MITSUKO'S VINEYARD
CARNEROS, NAPA VALLEY $24-$25
Full bodied and moderately intense. This Chardonnay features long, persistent finish. Taste reminiscent of peach, vanilla, lemon peel, roasted nut and oak. 14,024 cases. Drink through 2007.
Edna Valley Vineyards, 2004 CHARDONNAY
PARAGON, EDNA VALLEY $17-$18
Fruit-forward. This Chardonnay is full-bodied and supple. It features moderate richness and aromas. Tasting of pineapple, lemon peel, roasted nut and vanilla. Drink through 2007.
Girard, 2004 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $22-$23
Full-bodied and supple. Moderately complex with tastes of pineapple, peach, toast, roasted nut, and oak. 4,996 cases. Drink through 2007.
Hahn Estates, 2004 CHARDONNAY
MONTEREY $13-$14
Fruit-forward and full-bodied. This Chardonnay features an excellent combination of pineapple, roasted nut, vanilla, toast and crème caramel. Long, persistent finish. 29,000 cases. Drink through 2007.
Kendall-Jackson, 2004 GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY
MONTEREY 52% SANTA BARBARA 48% $21-$23
Enticingly complex and supple. This Chardonnay features noteworthy texture and form. It tastes of roasted nut, peach, vanilla and toast. Definitely a great value wine. Drink through 2007.
Landmark, 2004 OVERLOOK CHARDONNAY
SONOMA-MONTEREY-SANTA BARBARA
$25-$27
Stylish and elegant. Full-bodied and well-balanced. Taste reminiscent of ripe fruit, toast, roasted nut and lemon peel. 60% Sonoma, 21% Monterey, 19% Santa Barbara counties. 18,500 cases. Drink through 2007.
MacRostie, 2004 CHARDONNAY,CARNEROS
$22-$23
Fleshy, complex and moderately intense. It features flavors of roasted nut, butterscotch, lemon peel, vanilla and apple. Possess such distinctive long finish. 17,481 cases. Drink through 2007.
Oakville Ranch, 2004 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY $35-$37
Great notes of roasted nut, caramel, vanilla, lemon peel and orange blossom. Distinctive suppleness. This chardonnay is equally tasty and rich. 358 cases. Drink through 2007.
Oriel, 2004 DYLAN CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $24-$25
Heady and complex Chardonnay. A bit supple in texture, crisp with long, persistent finish. Tasting of pink grapefruit, roasted nut, lemon peel, toast, and spicy oak. Aged 10 months in French oak. Dan Goldfield, winemaker. Drink through 2007.
Sebastiani, 2004 DUTTON RANCH CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $28-$30
Medium intense flavors of pear, roasted nut, lemon peel, vanilla and toasted oak. Full-bodied and supple. 1,450 cases. Drink through 2007.
Talley Vineyards, 2004 ESTATE CHARDONNAY
ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY $26-$28
Excellent wine. Full-bodied and lightly oaked. Features rich flavors of apple, roasted nut, peach, pineapple and toast. Quite a long finish. 7,081 cases. Drink through 2007.
Testarossa, 2004 CASTELLO CHARDONNAY
CENTRAL COAST $28-$30
Delicate yet flavorful. This Chardonnay is bursting with fruity notes accentuated by roasted nut, toast and oak. It features medium long finish. 1,634 cases. Drink through 2007.
Trefethen, 2004 CHARDONNAY
OAK KNOLL DISTRICT $28-$30
Excellent Chardonnay of exceptional quality. Full-bodied and subtle in flavors. Tasting of apple, peach, pineapple, toast and roasted nut. Great value. Drink through 2007.
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