OUR FAVORITE CHARDONNAYS
October 2000

Under $20

1998 Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: The Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay is made from lots selected for their complexity of fruit flavors and voluptuous texture.  The wine is delicately fruity, with notes reminiscent of apple, peach and pear.
Our Notes: We only recently happened upon this wonderful chardonnay.  When they say the wine is delicately fruity, they aren't kidding.  There is just a hint of fruit in this chardonnay.  It  is fermented in French oak barrels using malolactic fermentation, which gives this wine a wonderful oaky and buttery taste.  This wine was wonderful on its own.  You usually have to pay around $20 to get a nice chardonnay like this, but this one can be found for around $15-$18.  This chardonnay only needs to be slightly chilled.  As with most good chardonnays, it should not be over-chilled.  You will notice that as the wine begins to warm a bit from being out of the refridgerator, more flavors become apparent.  Give this one a try, you won't be sorry.

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Over $20

1998 Lewis Sonoma Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: The Lewis Sonoma Chardonnay is perfumed with apricot and pear fruits and sweet sandalwood spice.  It is viscous, ripe and oaky on the palate, and it has a lush and round finish.
Our Notes: All I can say is "wow"!  What a wonderful chardonnay.  This is another wine that we have only just tried recently, and what a wonderful surprise.  It is very common to pay a lot for a wine and only be disappointed, but this is not the case here.  The Lewis Chardonnay can be found for around $30, but it is well worth it.  This is a perfect wine for a gift or a special evening with friends or your significant other.  Lewis is French oak barrel fermented, which gives it a wonderful oaky taste, but not too oaky.  This is another chardonnay that should not be over-chilled.  If possible, try to enjoy this with some friends, because we think it's too good to not share.  If you can't find anyone to enjoy it with, we are always available. 

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