Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay 2006

VARIETAL: Chardonnay
REGION: San Luis Obispo, California
PRICE: $14
Let me start by mentioning that I am usually wary of $12-$16 California chardonnay. I like to go cheaper or more expensive because in this range they are often too creamy, too fat, too manipulated with oak chips and god knows what else. Good grief! I like buttered popcorn and marshmallows, but I certainly do not want my chardonnay to exhibit hints of either one.
That said, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the Edna Valley Chardonnay. This is a superb pick if you enjoy subtle oak balanced out by vibrant fruit--peaches, pineapple, grapefruit--and a touch of minerality. It feels full in your mouth, without being knocked on the noggin with toasted oak. I enjoyed it with grilled salmon with basil cream, but I bet it would pair quite nicely with a roast chicken or shrimp and grits.

Check it out: Edna Valley Chardonnay 2006

Day at a Spa Wine Gift Basket

The holidays are coming, so why not think of the special Chardonnay-lover in your life with a gift basket that says "you deserve to be pampered"? Just think - you get all the good karma of sending them to a spa at a fraction of the cost, and they might even share their wine with you if you play your cards right. How can you go wrong?

Includes:

* Chardonnay
* Chardonnay foaming bath gel
* Gentle shower gel
* Soothing body lotion
* Relaxing Chardonnay bath salts
* Fragrant French milled soaps
* Chardonnay biscuits
* Key lime cookies

Day at Spa Gift Basket

Sticks - 2004 Chardonnay White Wine

Year: 2004
ABV: 13.5%
We Paid: $14
The color is a brilliant light straw with vibrant green hues. The bouquet possesses nectarine, peach and savory oak characters. The palate is clean and dry with tropical fruit flavors and a crisp zesty finish.

"Former Aussie rules footballer-turned-winemaker Rob (Sticks) Dolan, brought the wheel full circle when he (and others) bought, and renamed Sticks, the Yarra Ridge winery where he was once the winemaker. This is a great example of unpretentious Yarra Valley chardonnay style, fruit-driven with nectarine, honeydew and citrus, line and length its foundation."
-James Halliday

At Sticks 2004 Chardonnay - White Wine

Sonoma-Cutrer 2005 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

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When we read today's story on Liquor Snob about the whiskey aged in wine casks (Woodford Reserve), we got it in our heads it'd be cool to check out the wine they used. We've never had it and it's slightly higher than our typical price range (closer to $30 than $20), but we like Woodford Reserve enough we'd like to try both side by side.

It's somewhat fitting that as we launch the inaugural vintage of our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, we were blessed with an abundant harvest full of intensely flavored fruit. Flavors of lemon, apple, pear, pineapple and cantaloupe-the full array of Sonoma's cornucopia of fruit, joins a nutty, spicy, lightly oak profile that stakes out a unique territory sure to please those who love Chardonnay.

Sonoma-Cutrer 2005 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - White Wine

Jewel 2004 Un-Oaked Chardonnay

We haven't really taken a stance on the whole "un-oaked Chardonnay" controversy we've heard about lately, but we enjoyed this guy quite a bit. We'll obviously have to do some more research to fully form our opinion.

The 2004 Chardonnay is produced in 100% Stainless Steel, both fermented and aged. This "un-oaked" approach produces a bright, fruit-forward style wine that is aromatic, clean and refreshing on the palate. The appealing aromas of citrus and tropical fruit lead to generous fruit flavors of green apple, melon and pineapple finishing with well-balanced acidity. This refreshing Chardonnay is at its very best with food.

Jewel 2005 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - White Wine

2001 Toasted Head Chardonnay

We've been getting into Toasted Head quite a bit lately, but until recently we hadn't tried their Chardonnay. We're glad we fixed that mistake - we were very much impressed with the quality of the wine and the nice fruity notes. We recommend it highly.

Taste Bright tangerine and pear fruit aromas are highlighted by clove and nutmeg. This medium-bodied wine has a crisp acidity and long finish, with pear and toasty butterscotch oak flavors, and creamy texture.

RH Phillips 2005 Toasted Head Chardonnay - White Wine

Pure Evil Chardonnay Review

With all those cute and fuzzy new wine labels out there - y'know the ones we're talking about, the ones with kangaroos and penguins on them - it's kind of fun to encounter a new wine with a bit of an edge. We don't expect much of a tough guy act from our wines, and those cutey wines can be pretty tasty, but we want a label that will let us hold our heads high as we walk out of the wine shop.

Our favorite newly-discovered wine is Pure Evil. No, it's not some kind of demon-possessed label...that's the name.

Continue reading: "Pure Evil Chardonnay Review"

Woot Wine 11/06/06: Sierra Club Chardonnay

Calling all eco nuts! If you can stop spiking trees long enough to log onto the Infernets, this week's Wine Woot is right down your alley. Introducing Sierra Club Chardonnay, a California Chard that usually retails for about $15 a bottle, but is available in four-bottle clusters from Woot for $40 plus $5 shipping. As always, this will only last as long as the wine does, or until the week is over.

Folks in the Woot blog seem divided on this stuff, but moreso over the politics than the quality of the actual wine. Our verdict? It seems cheap enough, and it's available for a lot of states (but not Masschusetts...grrr). If you agree with the Sierra Club and want to give them your dough, get there. If you think they're a bunch of tree hugging wack jobs who don't deserve your hard-earned money, save it and buy some acreage of your own to clear cut as you see fit. Doesn't bother us either way.