Time To Look At Serious Chardonnay After A Huge Win

Time To Look At Serious Chardonnay After A Huge Win – Episode #574

November 10, 2008

The Jets romp the Rams and so Gary is excited and this is the perfect time for him to try some serious Chardonnay wines from California and see what he thinks!

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Comments on this episode(139) Leave a comment ›

“Good show. Too bad on the overoaking…. still not my thing either. …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“My favorite chards this year have been sone acidic ones from Burgundy …” by yowens
View all 139 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Truchard ChardonnaySonoma Chardonnay
2005 Chasseur Russian River ChardonnaySonoma Chardonnay
2006 Sbragia Chardonnay Gamble RanchNapa Chardonnay

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

The Thunder Cruise

139 Responses

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November 11, 2008

Dr. Mike
QOTD: Ramey Chards: Hudson and ritche. particularly 03 05 06. Get on it GV these are very burgundian, nice acid and minerality.
November 11, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Elyse best, worst I was given Yellowtail nearly made me sick. I, for one don’t like oaky Chardonnay.
November 11, 2008

Jimmy T
none
November 11, 2008

Rick W.
QOTD: Cuvaison, Rombauer, Newton Unfiltired (Best)
All expensive over 50 bones (worst)
Spend the big bucks on Reds!!!
November 11, 2008

SargieAZ
I loved the 2004 Tolosa “1772″ and hated the, I think it was called Two Hands not sure, it was some dirt cheap Aussie chard. first comment out- Lurker status gone! I also had a William Fevre chablis 2006 which was great…
November 11, 2008

Benj
I’ve not drunk a lot of Chardonnay this year. Back at my family home it’s pretty much the only white varietal we drink, so while I’m here at university I drink as many other white varietals as possible, particularly Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Chenin Blanc.

That said, I have had particularly good and particularly bad Chardonnays this year. It’s hard to get interesting California Chardonnays here for a decent price, so I haven’t actually had one this year!

The best: A 2005 Montmains Chablis – can’t remember the producer, but I do know that wines I’ve had from this vineyard have been consistently good. The reason it was the best though, was because I had it with my girlfriend on our anniversary dinner earlier this year. And that, as you said, is what made it the best Chardonnay of the year.

The worst: 2006 Paul Cluver Chardonnay. Completely dominated by something like burnt rubber and tar. I got almost no fruit from it. Couldn’t drink more than 1/2 a glass.
November 11, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: Some recent local great ones: 2006 Church Mouse, 2007 Road 13, 2007 Laughing Stock
November 11, 2008

Brock
Just had Quinta Ferreira (2006) Chard and Township 7 (2006) Chard (both Okanagan, BC). The QF was a fair bit Oakier, but nicely balanced. The Township 7 had more nuttier flavours and was a bit spicy on the nose.
Going on customer service, Township 7 staff were friendly. The man who owns QF was a bit snobby and paid far more attention to people who obviously had more money.
November 11, 2008

Jeff
any chablis from 02; 05; or 06 !!!
rare california chard; Morgan metallico or Davis Family Vineyard
wonderful wines!

don’t drink bad ones; stay away from them; not enough time; haha.
November 11, 2008

Brad
Great episode. I am not a huge fan of any chardonnay. But two that I liked were the Schug Heritage Reserve and Neyer’s Napa Valley. My least favorite was the La Crema.
November 11, 2008

JudeMurphy
I think you’ve used that movie theatre comparison for smelling wine too much!
It’s not even that great actually because the previews aren’t even a part of the movie so they’re not necessarily important- to me, not sniffing a wine would just be like missing the first half of the movie!
November 11, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo G, Nice Chardonnay Episode!!

QOTD1: Loved me batch of 2004 Kistlers, especially the Kistler Vineyard
Cuvee. Had the Sbragia Home Ranch Chard 2004, a bit of a Oak-Bomber, but
i liked it. The Talley Vyds. Arroyo Grande Valley 2004 was also Yummy!

QOTD2: Mount Eden Vyds. Edna Valley 2004….pretty much tasteless…PAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…..
November 11, 2008

Rowland
when you finally go to australia you can say “bringing thunder to the land down under”!!!! it works!
November 11, 2008

Rowland
YEA THEY DID! YEA THEY DID!

One of the Great? NAH you are the Greatest wine swirler ever!

wow gary? did you seriously compliment a heavy bottle?!?!?!? For real? come on, you of all people know a heavy bottle = exactly nothing! dont make slips like that bro,your suppose to be the wine anti-snob, dont teach bad perceptions!

BRINGING THUNDAAAAAA!
November 11, 2008

Phil G
QOTD – have been drinking a lot of other white varietals recently, but I did not enjoy a glass of Kendal Jackson that some cousins poured at the beach (well, it was fine, of course, because of the hospitality and company – just an oaky mess of a wine). I really did enjoy the 2007 Gunn Estate from 101 wines – that was very crisp and refreshing…
November 11, 2008

Andy
QOTD– I have been getting into unoaked Chards, it brings out the true fruit of the wine …….. The over oaked cheap chardonnays from the new world are being avoided.
November 11, 2008

Cameron W
QOTD: Not much chardonnay in the wheel house this year, mostly sticking with the standby Columbia Crest Grand Estates. We did have a Logan Sleepy Hollow a few weeks ago that was very nice.
November 11, 2008

laposte
QOTD:
I seldom if ever drink California Chardonnay. I am not a fan of the current/popular style; oak, sweet, flabby. My Chardonnay of choice would be a French Chablis.
November 11, 2008

sharon
None. I’m not a fan. It’s the headache (after ONE glass) I can’t accept.
Anyhow, congratulations Master Swirl-er…I admire your gift! In mid air no less.
November 11, 2008

Scottie P
I have to disagree with Scott’s point of view. Repetition is inevitable to some degree, but the passion, craziness and adjective/analogy driven Gary V is why we watch, isn’t it? There are other wine shows and blogs with a more low key approach. We choose this one because we want to have fun and enjoy life. I guess I could understand how the constant sports references could start to bother non-sports fans, but I tend to like it.
Good Show Gary.

QOTD: I love Chards so it’s hard to list a bad one (can’t think of any off the top of my head) and good one (too many). Sorry, I know that’s not helpful.
November 11, 2008

Garry M.
Not a Chard fan.Don’t drink it.

Gary, just be yourself.
Real friends always like you because of who you are
and IN SPITE of who you are.
November 11, 2008

pawncop
Good episode and will try the Truchard.

Tend to like the Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay from New Zealand.
November 11, 2008

Lee
QOTD: I am in Napa right now and looking for a non-butterball chard. Loved the Mi Sueno chard as very balanced. Four vines naked chard is good for every day.
You are cranking out some great shows
November 11, 2008

wineknow
QOTD:
By far the best new world chard I have had is the Domaine Serene Clos du Soliel. Followed by HdV and Montelenia.
November 11, 2008

sarah
Two of my favorite chards this year, #1Newton unfiltered chardonnay, not sure what year…and the other is a Mer Soleil, the oaky one. This show has inspired me to step out of my cali oak chard habit(toasted head is a regular of mine). I am trying new french whites every week! Thank you for helping me try new wines!!!