Excellent Chardonnays Under $30
Chardonnay Galore! This month, we will feature some of the best Chardonnay vailable on the market. I have already tasted some of them, and would proudly recommend some 2004 vintages. All of the wines are of exemplary quality and excellent value.
To make the most of your drinking experience, I recommend you drink the following wines side–by-side for comparisons.
Excellent Value Chardonnay:
Baileyana, 2004 GRAND FIREPEAK CUVEE CHARDONNAY
EDNA VALLEY $26-$28
Full-bodied and supple. This Chardonnay is bursting with fruity flavors of pineapple and melon with hints of roasted nuts and lemon peel. Medium-long in finish. Drink through 2007.
Balletto, 2003 CHARDONNAY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
$24-$26
Intensely supple and rich. Full-bodied. Tasting if roasted nut, baked bread, pear, pineapple and peach. Persistent, long aftertaste. 368 cases. Drink through 2007.
Bernardus, 2004 CHARDONNAY, MONTEREY COUNTY
$18-$20
Fruit-forward. Tasting of apple, roasted nut, vanilla, pineapple and oak. Moderately rich with long finish. 23,544 cases. Drink through 2007.
Buehler Vineyards, 2004 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $14-$16
Great value Chardonnay. Full-bodied and delicately flavored. It features the tastes of pear, apple, and roasted nut. Noteworthy balance and moderately length finish. 10,700 cases. Drink through 2007.
Buehler Vineyards, 2004 RESERVE CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $20-$22
Clean and crisp. This Chardonnay is fruity in style with adequate complexity and long finish. Tasting of pineapple, orange blossom, roasted nut, baked bread and vanilla. 300 cases. Drink through 2007.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2004 CHARDONNAY,
COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASINGTON $11-$13
Full-bodied Chardonnay of excellent value. Smooth and fine on the palate. Taste reminiscent of roasted nut, baked apple and lemon peel. 225,000 cases. Drink through 2007.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2004 CANOE RIDGE ESTATE CHARDONNAY
COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON $21-$23
Fragrant and earthy. This Chardonnay features the appealing flavors of roasted nut, apple, baked pear, toast and vanilla. 9,100 cases. Drink through 2007.
Clos du Val, 2004 CHARDONNAY, CARNEROS, NAPA VALLEY
$20-22
Moderate richness, smoothness and finish. Fresh notes of caramel, pineapple, lemon peel, toast and roasted nut. 11,700 cases. Drink through 2007.
If you enjoyed these wine reviews, you
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