California Chardonnay’s

California Chardonnay’s – Episode #112

October 20, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary tackles oaky, over the top Chardonnay’s. Watch today and see how Gary reviews these three Chards. Gary then answers more viewer questions and has a new QOD. Have a good weekend and we’ll see you next week.

283 Responses

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September 22, 2009

John J.
I agree with jayzee’s answer too. Au bon climat does some great chard’s. Was lucky enough to have lunch w Jim [the winemaker] about a month ago. Jim has a fantastic spread for lunch, with his whole staff. They just pass different bottles of their wine all down the tables they sit at the whole time. Taking tiny pours of a bunch of their different wines, from all different vintages. I remember they were passing a chard of theirs from 1990 that was still drinking great. Wonderful winery, and Jim treats his staff like family. Btw if you wanna try one of the most old world tasting wines growing in the new world, get a bottle of his mondeuse if you can find it.
September 22, 2009

John J.
Qotd: hollywood & vine I guess. Don’t really dislike like those oaky chard’s but not something i’m going outta my way to buy. Rather get something like a gros manseng or some other eclectic thing, than go for one of those bandwagon wines.
Also makes me curious after seeing this episode, when your infamous ‘oak monster’ lament will 1st crop up. Something I’m usually weary of myself.
1 last thing Gary, assuming you are still looking at the comments like you did when you were taping these episodes, I would like to request that you tackle a vin jaune episode. One on tasting different charbono’s would be alot of fun too.
March 31, 2007

Fiorentina!
Hey Gary!
Ok…my fav. CA Chard…..Everyday Chard…Bennett Family, La Crema, Heitz, Charles Creek, Leal, Hess Su’Skol are good. Weekend Chard, Maximus White Blend (2 Chards)& Mi Sueno are good. I think Cakebread, Ferrari Carano Reserve, & Laird are overrated. My absolute FAv. Chard is the Wild Heart Chard. from Santa Barbara. They’re a new/small vineyard, so they’re not over priced and just give you that BAM! effect…you know…put a little shoulder in it effect… just big, smooth, and refreshing.
January 22, 2007

thomas korent
1995 De Loach Russian River Valley “Our finest selection”. Lasted for 10 years – unfortunately, the case is empty now…
November 17, 2006

Laura
ZD Cellars in Napa Vally has some killer Chardonnays, and also a to die for Cab. I also recommend Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay, an Oregon vineyard. Excellent. They have a terrific Pinot Noir, also.

While at a friend’s home in Cotati, CA we took a drive up the coastline, and visited ZD, which is where we first tasted their products. A hard-core red gal, Sylvia was so impressed with the Chard that she bought 3 bottles (this was, I believe, a 2000 Reserve) and we then drove to Bodega Bay and met the boat coming in to buy fresh scallops to go with the Chard. Spectacular.
October 27, 2006

JayZee
QOD: The only California Chardonnay that I have had in recent years that I really liked was the Au Bon Climat (I can’t recall the vintage).

- JayZee
October 24, 2006

Louisiana George
1991 Byron Chardonnay, Santa Barbara – Probably still the most interesting wine I have every had, even though I prefer reds. Most complex tastes, starting with oak, pear mid, and finished with sweet apple flavors. Knocked my socks off.

Louisiana George
October 24, 2006

SeanM
Gotta love mutual admiration societies.
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
B……Great quote!!
October 24, 2006

Brandon M
“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.” — W. C. Fields.
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
Matthew L (#252)

Your comment (#256) reminds me of “Mister Bill” scetch on the Saturday Night Live. FUNNY!

Does the face, that you inserted in coment #267, mean that you’re laghing?
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
Matty Van (#262),

Let’s just call Gary’s son a VaynerCHIP.

If it’s a girl, it would be a LizzieCHIP.
October 23, 2006

SeanM
Susan,

I didn’t say I CAN read minds, I said my wife THINKS I can.
October 23, 2006

Noah Rosenblum
Quote of the day:

“What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch” W. C. Fields
October 23, 2006

GOL
QOD – 2003 Paul Hobbs Richard Dinner Vineyard
October 23, 2006

Dave Loebell
To answer your question my favorite Chardonney is the William Hill Reserve 2001. Soft and buttery to the pallet. Great with seaford,chicken, or just by itself.
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
@ Chris
October 23, 2006

SS Chris
It looks like LizV will remain VaynerWIFE for a while before becoming VaynerMOM.

I don’t if anyone just saw Kenny Rogers’ Press Conference. He just announced that, before the game, he had a small glass of a really inky, viscuous Petite Sirah and that’s what the stain on his hand.

He likened the “stain” to “The Wine Room’s” imported floor at The Wine Library. He instructed reporters, who didn’t understand, to simply watch WLTV’s Episode #4 (he also recommended the Decanting episode).
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
Matty Van (#269)…that’s exactly what I told a fellow Tiger fan today. That brown smudge looked like poop. Maybe he was making wine!
October 23, 2006

Jason R.
Maybe Gary is Stressed out on how he is going to explain to his Father how he made so much money on the Free Shipping???
October 23, 2006

Jason R.
2001 Arrowood Chard – Heaven & Im not a huge Chard fan

My order finally left on Friday (Waiting on a few items from Dist., and then went DHL? I have never had DHL to my door, so I will see how they perform. I am hoping for a Tuesday – Wed delivery?

Right in the ol’ lumberyard huh Danny?
October 23, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
By the way every one?
Was that Crisco, Bardol, or Vagisil on Kennyâ€™s palm last night?”
Comment 240: By Brandon M

Looked like poop to me…..but as he did nto get caughted and no one checked while it was there he got away with it, was probally pine tar or something…cheating is part of baseball, unlike other sports, he got away with it so more power to him.

Gary’s child… a chip of the VAYNER-block,
October 23, 2006

Susan
SeanM,
If you can read minds, then none of us need to post right?
Just some humor and kidding
I am sure most people sit while on the computer but
you never really know about some people!
October 23, 2006

SeanM
Susan,

I can’t see through walls but my wife thinks I can read minds.

As to your question: It’s just a guess based on how many people are usually standing up when they are on the computer. I know there are some people who are but I’m sure they are a minority.
October 23, 2006

Jonathan G
Gary,

As per a couple of episodes ago, I think you are funny, but then again I’ve always been told I am the only one who laughs at my jokes.

How do you feel about the cap top bottles versus corked bottles? I know I have had my share of poorly corked bottles and I am interested to know if how a wine is stopped changes its quality?

Oh, and Gary, you taste great!

Jonathan G