Big, balanced and utterly delicious! This Chardonnay by Rob Lloyd (former winemaker at Rombauer) is full blown California with beautifully integrated notes of vanilla, oak and butter. A rich and round mouth-feel with flavors ripe apple, ripe pineapple, tropicals with hints of honeycomb, butterscotch and vanilla creme. To it’s credit, a touch of zippy acidity adds to the complexity.
A golden medium-bodied yet crisp Chardonnay from Kunde Family Estate. The soft nose of baked apples gives way to flavors of ripe pineapple, tropical fruit, apricots, vanilla spice, butter and again, baked apples. A very enjoyable and food friendly wine.
A year ago I had the chance to chat with Dolores Cakebread (wife of founder Jack Cakebread). She asked if I’d had her Sauvignon Blanc because it was “one of the best.” I finally had some a year later and Dolores was right. Cakebread Cellars offers a lovely example of Napa Sauvignon Blanc with crisp yet rich flavors of soft red apple, citrus, honeydew melon, fig and vanilla. Aging in neutral oak barrels and blending with 4% Sauvignon Musque and 5% Semillon adds just enough richness and texture.
An excellent Chardonnay and an exquisite price. A surprisingly rich and round mouth-feel for an un-oaked and no malo wine. Rich flavors of apple, fig, citrus, honeycomb and ripe mango. Clean and crisp enough to please and un-oaked palate while still providing enough depth for those who prefer a little barrel aging.
A heck of a value Chardonnay. Nice buttery flavors of apple, melon, stone fruit and pineapple citrus with hints of toasty oak vanilla. The creaminess is balanced with some zesty acid and a touch of spice.
