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

November 10, 2008

manonthemoon
Chardonnay kick here lately?
November 10, 2008

crank
I’m in. Go Pats!
November 10, 2008

Susan
I’m in!!! GO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 10, 2008

Susan
GGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 10, 2008

Susan
What is 47 – 3 !!! MAJOR JETS BLOWOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO JETS!!!!!!
November 10, 2008

waibeans
who’re the jets?
November 10, 2008

John Farrin
Mea Culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa over my erroneous pick of the Rams. But really, how could I know that they were going to turn into the Pams.
November 10, 2008

Griz4life
I keep checking my email when I hear you getting an email during your show. It only drives me nuts a little bit. I’m with you on too much butter/oak and loving the canteloupe and melon.
November 10, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
When you drink 180 wines a year rather than tasting 180 a week, you can’t try everything! Haven’t had too many Chards this year, and wasn’t impressed with any of them
November 10, 2008

TLR
I had a serious chardonnay on saturday with friends. We had 2 wines from Kalin Cellars both 1994 and a 2003 Mersault.

the Kalin Cellars Livermore Valley won hands down!
November 10, 2008

Pete G
That last 3 mins of the show was classic – archive material. It’s what you
and the show are all about. Love it!

QOTD: Tasted a bunch of Finger Lakes chards this week at a NYS food/wine
fest. A standout was 2007 Red Tail Ridge barrel fermented Nutt Road
vineyard. Just a little oak the give it a Burgundian nuance but
still plenty of acid.
November 10, 2008

manonthemoon
Okay show, not really a huge Chardonnay fan and like yourself tend to like Chablis. Nice to see you met the Jones clan, great people from what I hear, I grew up close to Big Stone Gap and actually made a football all star team with his younger brother Julius. Always like it when locals make it big.

QOTD: Worst would be almost any California Chard I have tried and given a big pazzzz to during tastings. The best would be Cameron Clos Electrique blanc, this is the one domestic I buy multiple bottles of.
November 10, 2008

John Farrin
QOTD: Best (by far): 2005 Nugan “Frasca’s Lane” Chardonnay, King Valley, Australia

Worst: 2006 Clos du Bois
November 10, 2008

Hinrgman
That was quite a whoopin the Jets dished out.
November 10, 2008

AbsolutLahmi
QOTD: I just had a bottle of 2004 Gerard Villet Chardonnay from Jura, and it was A-MAZING!! Gunpowder on the nose, burnt apple on the palate, but still graceful and light on the finish.. it was probably the craziest and most palate-expanding white wine experience i’ve had in a long time..
November 10, 2008

Slushpuppy
I’ll take any euopean white over an over-priced CA Chard any time.
Smell it first! TR
November 10, 2008

Kevin K
QOTD: Not much on Chard these days. I’m trying more Italian whites.
November 10, 2008

M
QOTD: This year my palate likes Saint Veran Chardonnays.
November 10, 2008

sam
You guys rock!

QOTD: the best Chard I’ve had as of late was a Chablis Premier Cru. The name escapes me, but definately good stuff.
November 10, 2008

Jason S.
QOTD: Fav chard this year was Domaine Jaeger-Defaix. Can’t recall my least fav.

Heading out to Cali wine country in Dec. Looking forward to trying Truchard now – never had it before. Thanks GV!
November 10, 2008

Timinspokane
Monster California chards!!! I will admit… I used to love the buttery oaked-out chards that tasted like canteloupe dipped into a butter fondue. These days, though…. I am too much of an acid freak to deal with those flabby wines. I have had a few very nice chards lately. Last night, in fact, we had a 2005 Belvedere Russian River Valley chard that was very nice. Not heavily oaked, nice acids – not a bomb, but a pretty lady that was great with a very piquant chicken dish. I have also been loving the 2006 and 2007 Townshend Cellar chards (Columbia Valley) and the Rulo Unoaked chard (2006) from the Columbia Valley. My least favorite chard lately has been the Stags Leap Wine Cellars Karia chardonnay. It isn’t bad, but for pushing 30 bones, I would rather buy three of the Townshend Cellars, 2 of the Rulo’s, or hell – 3 Columbia Crest Grand Estates. It is simply an overpriced, generic chard for wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much money. Not my idea of a good time. Cheers!
November 10, 2008

DAve A
Happy b-day, dude! (Friday)It’s not the gifts, it’s the wondering if anyone cares… that counts. smile. haha. We care!

Good walk thru these wines. nice show.
Doing the secret pack tomorrow night with our neighbors! Can’t wait! We will watch, snif and whirl.. thanks for the swag in the box!

Chard? me? Horizon Cellers is excellent North Carolina Chard, not oaked, (neutral barrel, so not stainless either) and real good.

Come to Raleigh.
November 10, 2008

Joe P.
Hey Gary, good show. Funny you should ask b/c I just had a wine tasting party the other night and we blindly tasted six chards/chablis. The winner was 2000 Robert Talbott, Sleepy Hollow. The big loser, although two people scored it high and got my booby prize, was 2006 Martha Stewart Chardonnay, $8 at BevMo. I loved the Talbott – good balance, minerals, floral, lychee smell – as well as liking 2006 Ayama (South Africa) which I picked up for 7 bones marked down from $13.
November 10, 2008

Ilse
Not drinking too many white wines really, apart from some Ribeiro (fresh white wine which is drank in cups, also from Galicia in Spain, and very nice as aperitive in summer) and rías baixas (albariño)…also buy a stock of riesling and rivaner in Luxemburg, and this is brilliant wine with food, even more spicey food. Sweet Jurançon for aperitive or with foie gras, and a nice sherry (we prefer fino with food, oloroso as dessert wine) once in a while. Chardonnay only on holidays in regions known for their chardonnay…that’ll do for us.
November 10, 2008

Ray Barnes
In advance Happy Birthday Gary! I share the sentiments of the prior comments about the closing remarks. It is easy to forget that wine is a means to an end and not an end in itself.

QOTD: Best was the 2006 Zind, a proprietary cuvee by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht of (as I recall) 65% chardonnay and 35% pinot auxerrois, both from Clos Windsbuhl. Truly exceptional. The only other chard, which is technically the worst of the year but still excellent too, is the Thomas Kruse 2006 (from Gilroy CA). Made without malolactic fermentation, this had fine acidity and length.
November 10, 2008

JoeD.
QOTD:

Best: 2002 Newton Chardonnay Unfiltered
Worst: 2006 Simi Chardonnay
November 10, 2008

JonE
Show love to the Cali-Chard peeps, good man. I think they were probably starting to dis on the G-Man a little.

QOTD: Best 05′ premier cru William fevres and Varner Foxglove Chardonnay, worst La Crema!!!!
November 10, 2008

Jay
I can’t say that I’ve had that Chardonnay from Truchard, but in years past, I’ve loved their Syrahs.
November 10, 2008

Neil
QOTD: Not much of a chardonnay drinker these days however I did pop a bottle of Grgich which didn’t really impress me considering the price. That my friends was the only chardonnay I had all year.
November 10, 2008

Ozzy
Chard? Nope, haven’t had any yet that really hit my pal… I just have a problem with dry wine, and every chard I’ve had has been just too dry for me.

Keep bringing the Thunder, Gary.
November 10, 2008

Scott S.
Gary, Well I am guess I done!. I can truthfully say I have watched all 574 shows from day one every night and you have finally worn me down. The act is just overbearing drinkng from the bottle, the 1000th time to said you can’t miss the the movie previews. Man, the gimick is going to fall apart. Why can’t you just review the wine with some class. No problem with having some fun but I am telling you the act is going to crash and burn. From wine stardom back to discount liquors. I have been a long time fan and bought over 15 cases of wine from WL. I am just done!. Deleting all signs of WL from my PC . Farewell!
Scott
November 10, 2008

NY Pete
As far as Chards go … pazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz … but keep bringing the thunder!
November 10, 2008

Dominus
Congrats to the Jets! Kick some butt on Thursday. The Colts are back in the hunt with a victory over the Terrible Towels!

God show, I’ll need to seek out the Truchard though Ive read of ton of good press on the Sbragia.

QOTD: The Koehler you reviewed in your book and the Devil’s Lair from Australia were my favs and the worst has to be a Kistler that sat too long in my cellar.

Go Colts! Looks like a Manning Bros Super Bowl to me.
November 10, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: Favorite Chard: Newton Unfiltered(don’t remember the vintage)
Navarro close second
I bought some Fisher Whitney’s and Ice/Li/Bas, but haven’t tried them yet. Also am interested in getting some Lily Chard, only because I love their Pinot.
November 10, 2008

Sammy S
QOTD “Best Chardonnay for 08 so far: Qupe Bien Nacido 06 awesome!!!! Worst Chardonnay for 08 so far: Monkey Bay 06 Marlborough NZ..shocker!!!

Gary when are you coming to Australia?? Let me know.

Cheers

SAMMY S – Spreading the THUNDER DOWN UNDER
November 10, 2008

WineWoman
Part 2: Forgot the least fav–that would have to be Murphy-Goode—it was not good. Tasted medicinal like peroxide—didn’t like Windsor chardonnay either.
November 10, 2008

Leonard
Wow, I went to the Corkscrew in Houson Saturday. Wine was fabulous, but the food was disappointing.

QOTD:

I don’t drink much Chardonnay – Not my favorite variety. Couldn’t tell you what the last one was that I had.
November 10, 2008

Thomas
Best Chard I’ve had so far this year is the 2006 McRitchie Chardonnay from NC. Worst is probably something forced upon me from the grocery store.
November 10, 2008

Nicholas Lazarus
I love you Gary. hahaha
November 10, 2008

Bob Dwyer
My favorite Chardonnay this year was the 2006 Kendall-Jackson Camelot Highlands Santa Maria Valley. I gave it 92 points: http://corkd.com/wine/view/57892-2006_Kendall_Jackson_Camelot_Highlands_Santa_Maria_Valley_Chardonnay

I thought the 2006 Chasseur (same wine different vintage as your 2nd wine tonight) was a bit of a disappointment too. Highly recommended and only “good” not “great”.
November 10, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: Lately I’ve been getting the most from chardonnay from mid-level white burgundies. This year my favorite was the 05 Domaine de Roally Vire-Clesse Tradition, and least favorite was an Israeli chardonnay and I can’t remember its name.
November 10, 2008

J Crazy
Lovin’ the Chard!
Lovin’ the Thundar!

QOTD: Had an AWESOME Vincent Dancer Meursault-Perrieres 2001 the other day that rocked hardcore.

Not a big fan of the Simi chard I had a few weeks ago (don’t remember the year but was the latest release regular plonk).
November 10, 2008

Manual
My favorite this year has been the 2005 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars/Arcadia along with a variety of Chablis. I’ve enjoyed the Truchard Chard. over the years, as well as their Syrahs. Cheers!
November 10, 2008

suikagirl1
Gary, you and I will just have to have a ’sniffy sniff’ party… I’m often asked if I spend more time smelling my wine than drinking it. I think the aromatics are a HUGE part of experiencing the complexities of wine. Quite often a hidden gem reveals itself given the opportunity.

Thanks so much for breaking it down for us… and for keeping in mind that though some of us may have seen every episode, there are those that are new to WLTV and are just getting to know you and palate. Hooray for movie previews!
November 10, 2008

Olives Somm Alex
hahahhahaha…. i knew that was coming on the sbragia… i knwe his style wouldn’t match up with gary… I told alot of people to look out for his wines when he left beringer they’ve gotten great scores since he’s been at his own winery full time, but i’m with gary to over oaked for my taste but as you can see from parkers score definite crowd pleasers… best chardonnay i’ve had is 2004 william fevre les clos chablis… the structure and complexity you get from chablis is unparrallell
November 10, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
I am not drinking a lot of chardonnay this year, but I have tasted a couple of unoaked chardonnays that were quite good. And I alway enjoy my Navarro chardonnay because it comes from the cool climate of Anderson Valley and it is well made.
November 10, 2008

Richard Ritter
The JETS kicked major BUTT yesterday!!! We are starting to peek at the right time. Love Chards.

QOTD: I’m drinking Borghese Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay. It won the Gold Medal and Best in Class at the 2008 New York Wine and Food Classic Competition. A great wine.
November 10, 2008

Alex
QOTD- 06 Wente-Riva Ranch chard and 05 Chateau Montelena chard.
November 10, 2008

gotsha
QOTD

2005 Blackstone Monterey County Chardonnay. Not bad for $9
2006 Chateau Souverain Sonoma Chardonnay. Better wine for $12
November 10, 2008

Dodger Blue
QOTD: The best chardonnay I drank this year was Mount Eden Santa Cruz Mountains 2004. It just knocked me out.
November 10, 2008

Dr. Horowitz
I tried a good Sonoma-Cutrer chard at the #wbc. Hanzell…but too $$$.
November 10, 2008

Kelly Goff
I, like many others have not been drinking too much Chardonnay, but I have to agree with some others here. Truchard is one of my Favorites wineries. I too, love thier Syrah and will have to seek out the Chardonnay.
November 10, 2008

Murso
I’m with you on that Truchard. Always rich wines, while the price is not.

Unlike you, I can be really forgiving on Chard. It’s a grape that can do alot of different things (sometimes, unfortunately, alot of the same old thing) in alot of different places – practically six continents, by now…. doesn’t always have to be tremendous, usually can at least get the job done -picnic, to wedding, to…Tues. nite at home with butterfly shrimp in front of the TV. I mean, I’d love to have some Newton, Fisher, Hdv, Brewer-Clifton… truth is I’m broke, and pass on garden variety Chard. Too much excitement in other, lesser known grapes for the money.

The house pour at work is Sonoma Vineyards. Screwcap. No oak. It works, on the rare nite I’m not having good beer at work – it’s a live music club.
November 10, 2008

joaquin
What ever happened to the “butter bandit”? i like him better than the oak monster!
November 10, 2008

David Scott
Awesome show, as usual. Yay Jets – at least someone’s happy. My Steelers let me down again and revived my fear that the wheels are coming off the wagon.

I have to admit, I am a cliche, Cakebread kind of guy. I bought my first bottle because someone recommended it, and I liked it. then I visited the winery, took my picture in front of the mailbox, and had an AWESOME time and I’ve kept it around ever since. Hats off to Gary for breaking out of the mold that I couldn’t! Maybe I’ll give it another shot…
November 10, 2008

JBE
Burgundy Chardonay.. And No Oaks from everywhere.
November 10, 2008

joaquin
Recently looked up Chilean Chardonnay from Casablanca Vally .. excellent wine at amazing Prices..
November 10, 2008

SarahB
Drank an 05 Trouchard Roussane tonight. Yum.
November 10, 2008

Harry
QOTD: Favorite chards are gonna be Blanc de Blancs or Chablis, but i had a Russian River Chard from Girard tday that was very nice. Oak was there, but balanced. Good lemon custard notes and decent acid. Girard in Yountville CA overall impressed me with the balance in their wines.

Scott S – sorry to hear you’re giving up on the WLTV. I’m back you on the need to move on from the same lines over and over (nose = movie previews, don’t trust me, etc.) but the knowledge is deep and worth hearing the same lines again and again. Sorta like learning from your drunk great-uncle (yeah, you’re getting up in years GV) who always starts the story the same way, but surprises you with some brilliant insight.
November 11, 2008

Yvettew
Yes, that was an amazing JETS win last night.

Great show! I’ll have to look into Chards more. Thanks for bringing the thunder for all of us and inspiring me to try different wines. I have bought a lot of wine, but haven’t gotten the chance to pop some open yet!
November 11, 2008

Kdawg
QOTD: for california best: 01 and 98 Kongsgaard worst: 06 Walter Hansel Estate, it was just horribly over oaked where it hid almost all of the fruit

Burgundy: 05 Sauzet Puligny Montrachet Champ Canet worst: 03 sauzet Puligny and a 05 Ferrand&Laurent Noyers Brets puligny
November 11, 2008

Achilleas in Cyprus
Great full-of-energy show!
QOTD – don’t like Chardonnay very much – have not really found one that I like.
November 11, 2008

Ronzai
Good show! Truchard – awesome wines, great place to visit and a winemaker from Wisconsin! We just had their 2002 Merlot… excellent, but it took a while to open.

QOTD: Don’t remember the best Chard of the year, just the most recent… 2005 Miner Family Napa Chardonnay… excellent as well.
November 11, 2008

Ben Janssen South Australia
Good solid show. Nice.
November 11, 2008

Leonidych
The best this year: Pouilly Fuisse Grand Beauregard 2005 by Maison Joseph Burrier
The worst: there’s plenty.
November 11, 2008

jsrassat
French Chardonnay, good. Californian, Bad.
November 11, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
QOTD: 2006 Palmaz. Napa Valley. Small production. The best!
November 11, 2008

john
I’ll answer the QOTD first. Best chard of the year – Rombauer 06. After viewing this show, I’m sure it’s not Gary’s pallete, but it is mine.
On to my next thought…. I would rather have 1 bottle of Rombauer a week than 3 bottles of “value wines”. Heck I’d rather have a good beer than any “value wine” being pimped

Note to Gary… Scott has a point.

That being said I love the wine forum that you provide. Thank You for ALL you time and effort. Please keep this show as your number one focus
November 11, 2008

Neil
Gary,
Here are my Chard rankings:
Turner Road 2005-90
Toasted Head 2006-90
Irony 2005-88
Atesa 2005-88
J. Lohr Arroyo Seco 2006-88
Estancia 2006-84
TwoTone Farm 2006-84
Covey Run 2004-82
Chateau St. Jean 2006-80

My reviews are on Cork’d. User Cabfiend.
November 11, 2008

Bored Doe
Great episode. I agree about enjoying more mineral driven chardonnays than the creamy stuff however there is still a time and a place for me for oak forward chards. Speaking of which… QOTD- Best- 2004 Domaine Pierre Matrot Meursault… Worst 2005 Peter Lehmann South Australia Chardonnay
November 11, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: BEST: Chateau Demessey Mersault, 2004
WORST: Moshin… holy CARAMEL… gross.
November 11, 2008

Benjamin
Dont drink white wine…. why? cause red is more attractive i guess……
November 11, 2008

BobbyTiger
QOTD?
Best Chard. currently drinking. Ummmmmm…don’t drink Chard.
Worst Chard. See above.
Don’t really care for whites in general, as they are, well……… so white. I do however drink the Argentine Torrontes, but that’s probably the result of my trying to recapture my trip to that beautiful country a couple of years ago.
November 11, 2008

Franish
QOTD:

good: Wolf blass red label Chardonnay Semillon Australia 2006

not bad but not that good,just okay: Banrock Station Chardonnay Australia 2007
November 11, 2008

Tom G
Not a huge Chard fan, to be honest. I’ve never understood the hype. I’ve had Chablis that I didn’t mind and the “best” Chard I’ve had this year was probably one of Ramey’s (I think the Russian River was my favorite). I prefer easy drinking Sauv Blanc with its clear fruit profiles and delicious nose to heavy Chard.
November 11, 2008

torquey
QOTD: White Burgundy
November 11, 2008

theemptyglass
I think I like chardonnay. I haven’t had too many, but my palate tends to steer away from wines that are too acidic or taste like cat pee (>cough< SB from NZ).

QOTD: According to my corkd account
I hated Napa River 2005 Chard
http://corkd.com/wine/view/43921-Napa_River_2005_Chardonnay
and I loved Santa Barbara Landing 2005 Chard
http://corkd.com/wine/view/63402-Santa_Barbara_Landing_Chardonnay
November 11, 2008

Panchismo
Im drinking the southest Chilean Chardonnay (almost antartic chardonnay)named Sol de Sol from Aquitania vineyards. Its a little bit small production, it is located on a warm microclimate in the middle of Cold coast rainy climate near Pto Montt, in the lake region of Chile.

Sol de Sol delivers elegance, sofisticated complex fruit, persistance in mouth, very light body with baby fat, amazing wine, you should try to get a bottle, it´s in my opinion the best Chilean Chardonnay. 22 Us Dollars.
November 11, 2008

canadapete
QOTD – Come up to Canada and try Niagra’s – Clos Jordanne Chardonnay. It’s the best Chard I’ve had this year. Beautiful stuff. Too many bad one’s too name.
November 11, 2008

Logan
QOTD: I loved the 2006 Montes Alpha Chardonnay from the Casablanca Valley in Chile- great acidity and plenty of heat (love it), crisp and refreshing with some mineral elements- very little butter & oak. And very cheap as well- surprising and delicious.
I remember Yellow Tail’s Chardonnay to be quite horrible- wanna-be textbook Chard, with gobs of cheap-o butter and off-balanced oak, too thick, sweet and unstructured; really just cheap-tasting garbage.
November 11, 2008

glenn
dude – you know that Sbragia needs a long time sideways to shine! i am going to have to visit Truchard. what is up with their $175 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon? that must be something with their regular Cab Sav under $40.

enjoy Thursday, a very serious game!

QotD: most interesting Chard from this past summer was a 10 y/o Rancho Zabaco with a shrunken, petrified cork i found in the back of my cellar while looking for something else. slightly oxidized it died quickly but had some really fascinating tastes before its demise. had a 1996 Grgich Hills that was really lovely. get some age on those Cali Chards man!
November 11, 2008

italianwinelover
So glad Jet won….it’s nice to see you happy!!

QOTD: A steel tanked Chard is my go to when I drink them…Chehalem Inox Oregon. Prefer Champagne though!!! Really don’t like the oak, butter at all so any one of those would be my worse…I don’t seek them out cause thats what I think they will taste like…I’m kind a down on Chards this year.
November 11, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD…Fourvines Naked chard. Paso Robles
November 11, 2008

Ray Barnes
Note to Scott – if Gary comes across as a shill, he remains an ethical instead of unethical one. To use an analogy, it is hard to sell a steak without a bit of sizzle. Whether one condones the hype/hoopla element of his video blogs or not, Gary still has an outstanding palette and speaks his truth as best as he is able. There is of course the option of skipping the videos and checking his tasting notes.

The one thing I find most objectionable is his virulent pro-Jets, anti-Patriots/Rams/49ers/whomever else the Jets may be opposing. This is simply rude, bad sportsmanship. Unfortunately he is far from being the only rude, inconsiderate football fan.
November 11, 2008

craig
Honestly, not to be too snobby, but 98% of my chard drinking this year has been village or higher white burgundy. That’s where it’s really at.
November 11, 2008

Tofferotti
I have been drinking the Olivier Leflaive Les Setilles and his Chablis. Great wines for $15 a bottle. First tried is at T-Bar in NYC. Good place. Upper east side. Give it a try if you haven’t been there. I have also liked the Ramey Chardonnays. A bit pricey but really nice. The Russian River and Hyde vineyard are my favorites.

I as well don’t care for the oak monster. I’ve never liked it though. My palate always rejected it. It’s a lot of the reason I don’t like scotch. I taste that nasty wood element and I want a shot of Cuervo immediately to change the taste.
November 11, 2008

Scott EJ
I can’t really name any one or two particular Chards I’ve been drinking lately, but I can say that I’ve been playing alot with this varietal from Chile, South Africa, and Washington.

Congrats on the Jets big win and kudos to your wife for being so cool.
November 11, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
My favorite chardonnay this year has been the Aubert ‘06 Lauren Vineyard from the Sonoma Coast. I’d be really interested to see what you think, Gary, of any of Mark Aubert’s chardonnays that he’s made for his own label. This one was probably the ripest chardonnay I’ve ever had. Despite some pretty heavy oak treatment (I think he uses all new French oak), there was so much fruit in this wine that it didn’t come across to me as overly oaky. It had lots of melon and tropical fruit. There was another layer beyond the fruit flavors, but I think the wine was too young to show us as much of those other elements as it could after another year or two in the bottle. I’m glad I have a couple more that I’ll be able to try in the future.

I can’t name a single least favorite; there are always a lot.

I understand your movie-preview analogy, but to me the nose is more like the first half of a movie; if you miss it, it’s very difficult to understand what you’re seeing. I just think it’s so important and more directly related to the experience than a preview for another movie. I’m not trying to be nitpicky, though.
Thanks for another great show.
November 11, 2008

Kevin Mack
Great show. Go Patriots. On Chardonay I like most people have gotten burned by alot of bad over oaked chardonay so I am drinking a lot of unoaked stuff. My favorite one is Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonay from Australia. For one that is oaked I like Franks Family Chardonay, it tastes like Creme Brulee in a glass.
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!!!
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

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

pawncop
Good episode and will try the Truchard.

Tend to like the Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay from New Zealand.
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jimmy T
none
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

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

Derek F.
Very very nice Gary, I really love Chard.

QOTD: I just went to a wine tasting last Saturday and found a naked Chard. from a local vineyard called “In The Buff” from Newport Vineyards, this wine blew my socks off!!
November 11, 2008

Sharon
Wow, I want you to have a nice anniversary and b-day, but I want the Pats to beat the Jets MORE. I mean, losing at home to our division co-leader would SUCK.
QOTD: Had an atrociously oaky Kendall-Jackson Reserve chard. Still extracting splinters from my mouth. My best chard I have yet to open – a 2006 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard. It’s gonna be a good ‘un !
November 11, 2008

Dan-o
Decent show – I am not part of the ABC crowd (Anything But Chardonnay). I love Chardonnays and I do tend to lean more toward the Chablis and Burgundian style – minerality and fruit in harmony.

QOTD – August Briggs Chard from CA, Corton-Charlemagne from Olivier Leflaive.
November 11, 2008

unknownwine
Gotta answer this one.

2005 Olivier Leflaive Deux Rives Chablis
November 11, 2008

unknownwine
oops, wasn’t done.

Visited Panther Creek in Oregon last week and had their 2007 Chard, unoaked and no malolactic treatment. It was yummy.
November 11, 2008

Rex
QOTD: Best chardonnay for me in 2008 was a Joseph Drouhin Beaune “Clos des Mouches” 2000 (still room to evolve but delicious right now). Not very far behind but a better QPR is the “Les Graviers” 2004 chardonnay from Domaine Andre et Mireille Tissot. Any Tissot wine is a must try.
November 11, 2008

Weston
QOTD: Hmm British Columbia has some nice Chards (whites in general especially Gwertz / Rieslings) The Therapy Chard is always a favorite and nice to fall back on but once the bottle has been opened for over an hr all the acid goes and its not that great.

The other one I had I loved was Pac Breeze 05 Chard it was like the Oak Monster Butterscotchness. delicious in my books
November 11, 2008

SurfCityJay
Another great show… going to look for the Truchard tomorrow…

QOTD: Best = Melville Clone 76 INOX… Worst: some bad chard poured in Temecula… won’t say the winery…
November 11, 2008

Shawn_944
Good, Solid Show GV!
November 11, 2008

Claus
QOTD:
Best chard was a gorgeous, completely surprising Au Bon Climat 2007 Chardonnay at a wedding in Santa Barbara. I love that winery, but have only had the Pinot previously. Perfectly balanced, great with food as an aperitif (we had it as both.) At around $17, a great great value as well.
November 12, 2008

Brian Barrick
Good to see California Chardonnay getting some respect on the show. I don’t drink many of them, but I do keep them in the rotation. My favorite is probably the Chalone Estate Chardonnay. Very Burgundian, with layers of fruit and minerals and just enough oak – everything in balance. Ages extremely well, too.

I’ll have to pay a visit to Truchard, that one sounds like a winner.
November 12, 2008

Nik
QOTD – For an American chardonnay, I really enjoyed the Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains 2005. For worldwide it is the Louis Carillon 2004 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières or a Louis Nie Meursault 2002.
November 12, 2008

B-727
Best: Montelena and Hansel
Worst: a hot, out of balance “Pacific Ridge”
Cheap reds — maybe okay. Cheap Chards, usually terrible (to me)
November 12, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: I’ve been way, way, way off Chardonnay lately, but I think the last one I had that I liked was from Benziger.
November 12, 2008

Clemclone
QOTD Iron Horse makes both and un-oaked and an oaked chard but I love the oaked version. Very light on the oak and great acid. Runs about $22. I tasted a Firestone Vinyards from the Los Olivos area and it was like drinking popcorn butter. Start, mid, and finsh. Over oaked butter bomb!
November 13, 2008

Todd
I like the 2007 Trinity Hill Hawkes bay… and Bret bros wines are very good… and the Concha y Toro terrunyo chard was a surprise.
November 13, 2008

Bobo36
newton unfiltered – white label.

good show.
November 13, 2008

El Borracho
One of the best California chards for the money Cambria “Kathrines Vineyard”. Love chardonnay but good chard now days is very pricey and price does not reflect quality. Joseph Swan estate RRV and Cameron in Oregon great American chards but Burgundy is still the King and there’s nothing like Pouilly Fuise to put a smile on your face.
November 15, 2008

CraigG
My favorite Chard I had this year was a half bottle of the Jadot Batard Montrachet 2002. The stuff was just awesome.
I can’t say I remember a bad white that sticks out in my head, but I have a bad red. Opus One’s second wine, “Overture” 2003, had the most bitter tannins I have ever tasted. Worst wine I ever drank, ever. And I paid $35.00 for it when I went to Napa.
November 18, 2008

MattUD
Are we no longer changing the wine world? Haven’t had that much Chard this year, not enough to definitively pick a best and worst.
November 21, 2008

Kristen
I like Truchard’s wines. They pretty much always produce quality.

QOTD: Although I’ve gotten away from chards to try other things, I think my favorite was 2003 Domaine Cristian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru. I love minerality! My least favorite? Yellowtail. Just not my style!
November 23, 2008

JayZee
QOTD: I don’t drink much Chardonnay – never really have to be honest. I don’t hate it, but it doesn’t ever thrill me. The Truchard sounds good though. I did have a 2004 Chateau Montelena that was decent, although still a little too buttery for my palate. I think the best one I had this year was the the Four Vines Naked Chardonnay.
December 5, 2008

AaronB
QOTD: I only had 2 chardonnays this year. They were both pretty good, so it wouldn’t be fair to categorize one as the best and the other the worst.
December 20, 2008

yowens
My favorite chards this year have been sone acidic ones from Burgundy and Chablis.
January 27, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Good show. Too bad on the overoaking…. still not my thing either. QOTD: Probably one from Icicle Ridge Winery. Im big on them….yes theyre from my state!