California Chardonnay Tasting – Episode #145

December 12, 2006

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Wines tasted in this episode:

In todays episode Gary looks at another viewer request, California Chardonnay’s. Make sure to watch for a big announcement at the end of todays episode!

99 Responses

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  1. September 27, 2009

    John J.

    qotd: dont usually spend money on chard’s. but last one i got i can remember that i liked under $15 was the Jean Paul Brun ‘Terre Dorres’ Beaujolais Blanc.
    So long as you keep rewuesting we send in requests Gary, i’ll keep giving you mine.
    How about doing a vin jaune episode, or a charbono tasting episode?

  2. April 25, 2009

    Pangaea

    Finally! I have a reference point between GV’s and my palate.

    I have a 05 Souverain here and I thought the oak was a little less subtle on the nose than GV thought. Matter of fact for me I knew it was a oak monster right from the sniffy sniff. I totally agree on the lingering oak taste though.

    QOTD: State side I’d have to go with Bogle. While French Chardonnay I’ll go with Red Bicyclette & Fat Bastard.

  3. June 28, 2008

    PsychoI3oy

    w00t! first ‘oak monster’ reference!!!

    I’d have to go look but I think the first ‘thunder’ reference was back in the 120s or 130s.

    It’s really fun to start from the beginning and see the show evolve into what it is today.

  4. March 25, 2008

    T. Reasoner

    J. Lohr is really the only chardoney I can stand or maybe a KJ reserve… But I am more into the loure valley Sancerre’s.

    aloha

    Tracy

  5. December 22, 2006

    Joe

    Fantastic job in Atlanta…offers should be pouring…IN!

  6. December 15, 2006

    Rich S

    Not a big chard fan at all. I would much rather have a riesling or a dry Italian white or even a zesty sauv blanc. But I am also not one of those ABC folks who will refuse to drinks chards at all. The absolute best chard that I have ever had was the Generations of Sonoma – Abandon Chardonnay. It was actually one of the better white wines in general that I have had recently. It was really well balanced with hardly any oak and had great citrus and grassy tones (mostly pear and even a little lychee). Seek it out!!!!

  7. December 15, 2006

    David

    There are a lot of good Santa Barbara/Central Coast Chardonnays that are very good. They seem to be lower in alcohol. Napa Chardonnays are higher in alcohol, maybe too much sun? I am not a big fan of Chards anyway. thank you Gary, you are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. December 15, 2006

    Redhawk

    QOTD: It’s been a long time since I had a chard under $15, but Meridian was decent–probably more like under $10. I always liked Ch. Souverain (and not just the chard), but their chard had been hovering over $20 when I gave up on it a few years ago. Good to know it has come back down in price. Hopefully that is more related to the relative overabundance of Chardonnay juice than to a drop in quality. Maybe they’ll go back to those distinctive multifaceted bottles again.

    I am also surprised to hear how many people “hate” chardonnay. Good–all the more Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs for me!

  9. December 14, 2006

    Karl B.

    I like the Macon Village Chardonnays in the $10-$15 price range. Great discernable fruit and the use of seasoned oak barrels. Interesting that you tasted a mix of years. I would like to get your comments on a comparison between these different years.

  10. December 14, 2006

    Jeff

    I just don’t get how one can hate/dislike Chardonnay as a catagory. There is such a range of different styles. People write them off too quickly IMHO… but to each their own opinion.

  11. December 13, 2006

    Rooney

    Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw Blend $2.99 in NYC. Boo ya.

  12. December 13, 2006

    Tim Tamblin

    P.S., give the 04 Buehler Russian River($9.99)and the 05 Logan Sleepy Hollow Chards($12.99) a try if you can get your mitts on them…

    Tim T

  13. December 13, 2006

    Brooklyn Paul

    Great job all around Gary!

    I’m just shocked how many commenter’s hate Chardonnay. Wow…

    QOD: I really like the Roshambo Imago and the Mayo Family “Unwooded”. But my real favorite is one most probably have never heard of. Channing Daughters Cuvee Tropical from LI. I’m telling you, they do Chardonnay right out there.

  14. December 13, 2006

    Tim Tamblin

    Gary- I am the lurker extrordanaire. My wife Kathy recently emailed you with the Bob Parker “What’s the best wine you have to offer at Fieldstone”story. The reason she went to the trouble to relay this story was because she hears you in the background as I diligently listen to your opinions on the multitudes of fine and “otherwise” wines out there on the market. She has been known to laugh out loud from across the room at your joyful diatribes and occasionally lurkes over my shoulder to see who this “zaniac” guy is! This is quite unusual for her to stop her work to be temporarily side tracked for anything, let alone being interested in one of the hundreds of websites, wine and otherwise, that I visit on any given day.

    At any rate, in an effort to sport one of your beautifully designed shirts, I came across your site while doing a google search for a wine that alludes me at this moment,however, what I like best about your show and you is your joyful delivery of an arena I have been engaged in as both a hobby and on occassion a profession since 1975. I live in the SF bay area and have easy access to multiple AVA’s so needless to say, enjoy many trips of the type you suggested for late 2007. Your show is a delight and will do wonders for the industry as a whole and I have yet to find a sight that does this in the animated fashion you have so boldly captured. I look forward to each episode and when you come to our coast, feel free to look us up as there are a few verticals that we are losing will power over keeping in there sealed state and would be honored to share with you…

    No longer lurking,

    Tim

  15. December 13, 2006

    TimF

    Lotta love for GV on the Parker board today (thanks to my bump)…

  16. December 13, 2006

    AlisonD

    Good episode..I do like Chardonnay, and was happy that you tasted some for us. Now I know what NOT to buy! Thanks!

  17. December 13, 2006

    Brian

    Great job on the the show.

    QOTD – This past summer I tried kali Hart Chard. To be had for around $14 a bottle. I felt it was a great offering from a fantastic chard producer.

    Brian

  18. December 13, 2006

    Sam Zen

    G- I’d be all over the contest, and the tee shirt… however, (in a Spinal Tap voice) how much uglier can ugly be? These are outrageously haneous. Sorry dude, I’m out!

  19. December 13, 2006

    East Village Wine Geek

    Excellent!!!!!!!!! Way to get the word out about wine man! That appearence on the Atl show was spectacular. Wine is for everyone. By the way the $8 dollar la roca you talked about is f’n amazing. I’m actually giving my father-in-law a case for X-mas this year. Bloggers Unite! Good job man just doin it for the cause. I feel the bloggers out there doing a collective wave.

    EVWG

  20. December 13, 2006

    Lawrence Leichtman

    I’m with the others here. Most Chardonnays from CA suck for me. In the price category you mention I have not had one I would consider good. Calera is about the lowest priced along with Chalone for commercial. My wife likes Chardonnay from CA so we have Ramey as our standard but that is expensive stuff for every day drinking. There are so many other good whites than Chardonnay and most are value priced. Got to get a t-shirt but will have to order after the first of the year. Thanks for a great year so far Gary, keep up the good work tasting bad wines so we don’t have to.

  21. December 13, 2006

    MTZ

    QOTD: Travis Unfiltered Chard. Without a doubt.

  22. December 13, 2006

    Grasshopper

    GV,

    Very nice job on TV, especially with the host being a little tight and trying to sound like she knew what she was talking about….

    Are you able to track how many new viewers you get to WLTV from the viewing area of the show? Are you able to tell us how mnay veiwers you get daily?

    QOD – My Wife and I like Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay from Chile for a good weeknight wine under $20

    Keep up the great work Sensei!!

    Grasshopper

  23. December 13, 2006

    TimF

    Wow! Gauntlet has been thrown down! What is the submission deadline?

  24. December 13, 2006

    mbw1024

    QOTD
    don’t know the prices off hand but I like (in no particular order) Toasted Head, Frie (or is it Frei) Brothers and Casa LaPostelle from Chile

  25. December 13, 2006

    rich loughrey

    TMhere are NO American Chards worthwhile under $15!!! Catena is fine but stick to the French whites. The contest second prize should be a week with Gary etc. Caffeine, cocaine and Speed should be included to keep up with the man. Gary could evolve into the Thomas Haden Church character in Sideways.

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