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: 2017 Falcone Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

2017 Falcone Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Previously $25)

SKU #1479331 93 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark Green pear skins and flesh lead toward aromas of nectarine and lime preserves on brioche on the nose of this wine from a historic vineyard. There is a zesty brightness to the sip as well as riper flavors of roasted apple, yellow peach and pineapple, framed by a chalky structure. (MK) Inner quote mark

91 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Limpid yellow-gold. Smoke-accented aromas of fresh orange, pear, anise and vanilla show sharp definition and minerally lift. Fleshy yet dry and incisive, offering energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are complemented by hints of bitter quinine, tarragon and honeysuckle. Closes with bright, stony cut and firm grip, leaving a trace of smoky minerals behind. (EB) Inner quote mark

91 points Wine & Spirits

Outer quote mark Rich as pie, this has a baked-apple comfort and sweetness that feels gentle and forthright. Scents of pineapple and lees and the peach-skin bite to the finish give it shape and elegance. *Best Buy* Inner quote mark

90 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark From the Santa Maria Valley and all from the Clone 15 of Chardonnay, the 2017 Chardonnay reveals a quite light color to go with a perfumed bouquet of racy green citrus, lychee, rose petals, white flowers, and salty minerality. Graceful and lively, if not a touch fleeting, it's nevertheless balanced and seamless, with nicely integrated acidity and a detailed, elegant, juicy style. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years. Inner quote mark

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2017 Falcone Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

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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:

Santa Maria/Santa Barbara

- Santa Maria and Santa Ynez make up the two AVAs of Santa Barbara County, an area known for its natural beauty and temperate climate. The best grape-growing areas, however, are located on the very coastal reaches of these two appellations, and are cooled by ever-present fog and ocean breezes (it is even cooler and foggier here than Carneros!). As expected, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive while the more inland zones lay claim to Bordeaux varietals and some Rhône blends.