The 2009 Chardonnay shows lovely balance in its bright citrus fruit and sweet spices. This is a relatively tight, focused style of Chardonnay that impresses for its energy, focus and overall sense of harmony. The fruit was sourced from the Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills vineyards. The wine was aged on its lees in roughly equal parts oak and steel, with 50% of malolactic fermentation. It is a terrific value in California Chardonnay. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. These are two gorgeous wines from Alta Maria Vineyards, a project headed by James Ontiveros and Paul Wilkins. (8/ 2011)
No Chardonnay in California is richer or riper than this. It detonates on the palate with an explosion of pineapples, green apples, tangerines, apricots, honey, butterscotch and dusty cinnamon spices. Acidity is pretty and zesty. Would benefit from great subtlety, but it sure is opulent. (9/ 2011)
Alta Maria is the brainchild of viticulturist and winemaker James Ontiveros and Paul Wilkins, friends first, and now collaborators. Half the fruit for their small-production Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (820 cases) goes through malolatic fermentation, giving this wine a custardy, rich California Chard mid palate while still providing plenty of food-friendly acidity. Green apple, melon, Ojai Pixie and hay aromas give way to a palate with anise, lavender, cinnamon and butterscotch flavors to balance the plush fruit. Delicious.
Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.
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2009 Two Sisters "Courtney's Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay (Elsewhere $40) $19.99
2011 Napa Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay $13.99
2011 Kalinda "Unoaked" Anderson Valley Chardonnay $12.99
2011 ButterNut California Chardonnay $14.99
2011 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay $32.99
