Steven Kent wines raise bar for Cabs; sister winery La Rochelle thinks Burgundy
Another Mirassou is making wine — for collectors and the rest of us who yearn for incredible Cabs, Chards and Pinots.
Wine
Resident wine expert Sandra Silfven on all things vino
Chardonnay
Egalite and Penfolds make wines with a mission
Wine is such a part of our lifestyle today that producers and organizations use the fruit of the vine to support special causes.
Glen Carlou: Chardonnay to gush about
For a true wine experience, try this Chardonnay from South Africa — it has to be good if Donald Hess of Hess Collection owns the winery.
Drink this: Simi Chardonnay
Look to the celebrated Simi Winery in Healdsburg, Calif., for a Chardonnay to take the edge of an 80-degree day and dazzle your taste buds. The 2010 Simi Chardonnay from Sonoma, $18 top price, is a bright, fruit-packed powerhouse that’s like Chardonnay on steroids. It’s a cocktail of green apple, nectarine, lime and pear, and spice … Continue Reading →
Drink this: Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay
You won’t find many Napa Valley Chardonnays under $20, let alone under $15. I have seen the Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay 2010, $18, on sale for $13 at Meijer. Cap that with the prestige of the Franciscan Estate name and you have one fine wine experience awaiting you. This Chard is sourced from … Continue Reading →
On the shelf: Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay
This is one you can wrap your brain around as well as your palate. The Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay 2010, $22, has body and layers of flavor; it’s crisp-tart-dry and still so tightly woven you can only guess at its potential as it ages. But who ages wine anymore? Just be prepared for a sipping … Continue Reading →
Drink this: Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Chardonnay
This Chard is a classic, coming from a winery that has been making wine in Sonoma County since the 1970s. Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Chardonnay 2009, $26, is a bright gold color that leads to heady aromas of apple, sweet pear, hazelnut and lemon zest. On the palate it’s still tightly stitched — it needs time to warm … Continue Reading →
Weekend Wine: Cellar No. 8 Chardonnay
Cellar No. 8 Chardonnay 2010, $8-$10: This northern Sonoma County winery has a reputation for dry reds that are affordable and satisfy demanding palates. The Chardonnay, however, pleasantly surprised me with its zesty personality, its fruit-forward punch of apple, pear, white peach and nectarine, even with hints of spicy oak. It’s now on my go-to … Continue Reading →
Wines of the Day
Clos de Los Siete Argentina 2009, $18: French flying winemaker Michel Rolland puts his name on the French-like front label of this red blend from Argentina. It’s pretty stylish stuff, and I’m betting you would never guess it was from Argentina — because of the bold, very California-like fruit. It’s a blend of Malbec, Merlot, … Continue Reading →