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: 2013 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2013 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Chardonnay

SKU #1184779 93 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark This is a delightfully floral and lemony-crisp wine, with a touch of creme brulee blanced between layers of citrus. Despite the rich accent, it's light-bodied and easy to like, offering subtle complexity and a sultry, spicy finish." - Advanced Buying Guide Inner quote mark (12/2014)

K&L Notes

Au Contraire comes from California’s prestigious Sonoma Coast AVA. With over 2,000 acres of vineyards, this appellation extends from San Pablo Bay in the south to the border with Mendocino County in the north. With most vineyards located above fog line, a cool climate and beneficial rainfall levels, it is an ideal growing area for fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The first US brand developed by the Taub family, owners of leading importer Palm Bay International, Au Contraire represents the family’s return to their roots in the California wine business.

2013 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Price: $16.99

Quantity:

WE: 93

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Product Reviews:

By: Michael Jordan | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/22/2014 | Send Email

New Kids on the block Au Contraire have come out of the blocks swinging. A solid Russian River Valley Chardonnay with all that you want for a Chardonnay from that region. Citrus focus flavors wrapped with a nice combination of creme brulee, cedar and vanilla. A nicely balanced wine with a great price point.

By: Trey Beffa | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/22/2014 | Send Email

Au Contraire is a brand new project that has turned out a fabulous debut Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. I love the balance and freshness of this wine. In the mouth the wine is creamy with hints of tropical fruit, lime and toast. It is balanced and the finish is long and lingering. Excellent buy!

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Chardonnay

- It's hard to believe that up until about 30 years ago, this extremely popular varietal hid behind the veil of geographical names like Chablis and Puligny-Montrachet. Now grown all over the world and bottled by its varietal name, Chardonnay has achieved a level of branding unlike any other wine. Surprisingly, though, what you get when you buy Chardonnay can differ greatly from country to country and even within one country, depending on the climate where it's grown and how it is vinified and aged. From fresh, crisp and minerally with apple and lemon notes to rich and buttery with tropical fruit overtones, Chardonnay runs the gamut. In France's Burgundy, Chardonnay is the source of the prized wines of Chablis, Corton-Charlemagne, Mâcon, Meursault and Montrachet. It also the foundation of exceptional Champagne, where it is blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier or vinified on its own into Blanc de Blancs. It is also extremely popular in California, and is gaining popularity in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and South Africa.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Alexander Valley/Russian River

- Among Sonoma County's northernmost appellations, the Alexander Valley AVA acts as a gateway to neighboring Napa to the east and Mendocino to the north. It is a sprawling appellation, with pockets of distinct microclimates and soils, and as such, is home to a variety of wine grapes and styles. Nearly everything grows in the Alexander Valley, though Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted grapes. The Russian River Valley lies to the south of Alexander Valley, and is marked by much cooler temperatures and frequently heavy fog. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown here are some of the state's finest and most sought-after. Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer and Riesling can also be successful, and sparkling wine production has a long history in the area.

Alcohol Content (%):

13.8