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$9.95
Acacia Vineyard is in the heart of the Carneros wine region, with stellar views of vineyards and the bay. This premium winegrowing region enjoys the cooling influence of the Pacific Read More...
Ocean and summer fog, making it an ideal growing area for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Acacia was a pioneer in this appellation when it began in 1979 and continues to craft Burgundian-inspired varietals which have been consistently delicious beyond their price point.
And on the subject of price points, the plan with this program is to put the best and most representative of California’s Chardonnay growing regions in a bottle and give it a very refreshing price. So here you have it: Monterey, Santa Maria Valley, Paso Robles, and even a touch of Carneros fruit blended together to make a really lovely sipper (someone forgot to tell the wine it shouldn’t taste this good at $9.99). An exotic aroma is followed by a rainbow of stone and tropical fruits, it’s bright and crisp, and the finish is long. This is one to procure by the case – people are forever dropping by!
$17.99
Burgundian in sensibility but with California style is one way of describing Jim Clendenen's Chardonnays- Structure and restraint melded with bountiful opulence is another. Read More...
In the glass, buttery brioche marries with tropical fruits in an irresistible elixir that will leave the bottle drained before you know it.
$13.99
Vibrant aromas of crème brûlée, ginger, lemon curd and white peach are followed by a creamy entry which blossoms to a full, sweet, peach, nectarine and citrus mid-palate. Medium-bodied Read More...
with vibrant acidity, the wine finishes long and full.
$74.95
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2004 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru L’Avizoise is another explosive, full-bodied wine bursting at the seams with fruit. This, too, Read More...
shows wonderful shades of dimension in a style that deftly balances exuberance with cool, reserved minerality. Agrapart crafts the Avizoise from two parcels of 50-year-old vines in the lieu-dits of Les Robarts and La Voie d’Epernay. Fermentation took place in neutral oak barrels and dosage was 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: January, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020."
Rating: ** The chalky-clay soils of the Avize hillside give this wine a certain body and breadth, as well as a darkly spicy minerality that drives the flavors on the palate. Part of that breadth, though, could also be coming from the wine’s lees-aging on cork instead of capsule, as it also demonstrates toasty, mocha-like notes that are often common to cork-aged champagnes. This shows a greater subtlety and nuance than the Minéral does, even if it hasn’t got quite the same piercing clarity of expression, and it’s more reserved at the moment as well, needing some time in the cellar to bring out its full range of flavor. The finish is outstanding, persisting with confident, baritone presence. Last tasted: 10/10. -Peter Leim
Rating: ** The chalky-clay soils of the Avize hillside give this wine a certain body and breadth, as well as a darkly spicy minerality that drives the flavors on the palate. Part of that breadth, though, could also be coming from the wine’s lees-aging on cork instead of capsule, as it also demonstrates toasty, mocha-like notes that are often common to cork-aged champagnes. This shows a greater subtlety and nuance than the Minéral does, even if it hasn’t got quite the same piercing clarity of expression, and it’s more reserved at the moment as well, needing some time in the cellar to bring out its full range of flavor. The finish is outstanding, persisting with confident, baritone presence. Last tasted: 10/10. -Peter Leim
$124.95
Brothers Arthur and Fabrice Agrapart have guided the rise of their family’s Champagne estate since 1984. Blessed with a patrimony of outstanding Côte des Blancs vineyard parcels (mostly Read More...
Grand Cru rated) the duo has maximized the potential of their land through rigorous biodynamic viticulture practices and non-interventionist winemaking techniques. Their hard work and skill has resulted in consistently high critical acclaim and, as one would expect, a burgeoning fan base. While it is great to see the family’s dedication and hard work pay off, their success has caused our allocations to grow smaller with each new release. These latest vintage bottlings are in particularly short supply. All the quoted remarks below are those of Peter Leim from his Champagnequide.net website. Peter’s ratings follow the Michelin Guide style where even a single star “...denotes a wine of particular quality and distinctiveness of character, one that stands out among its peers in some significant way.”
“Compared to Agrapart’s other wines the Vénus always shows a greater dimension and subtlety, with a complexity not only of fruit, but also of minerality. Here, the apple, pear and green citrus flavors are ripe and fragrant, yet they feel nearly incidental against the backdrop of pure chalk that envelops the palate, deep and profound in its expression, appearing both richly expansive and precisely detailed. This feels three-dimensional in its resonant, gripping aroma, persisting with brilliant clarity and long, nuanced length. Last tasted: 11/11. 3 Stars.”
“Compared to Agrapart’s other wines the Vénus always shows a greater dimension and subtlety, with a complexity not only of fruit, but also of minerality. Here, the apple, pear and green citrus flavors are ripe and fragrant, yet they feel nearly incidental against the backdrop of pure chalk that envelops the palate, deep and profound in its expression, appearing both richly expansive and precisely detailed. This feels three-dimensional in its resonant, gripping aroma, persisting with brilliant clarity and long, nuanced length. Last tasted: 11/11. 3 Stars.”
$65.98
Brothers Arthur and Fabrice Agrapart have guided the rise of their family’s Champagne estate since 1984. Blessed with a patrimony of outstanding Côte des Blancs vineyard parcels (mostly Read More...
Grand Cru rated) the duo has maximized the potential of their land through rigorous biodynamic viticulture practices and non-interventionist winemaking techniques. Their hard work and skill has resulted in consistently high critical acclaim and, as one would expect, a burgeoning fan base. While it is great to see the family’s dedication and hard work pay off, their success has caused our allocations to grow smaller with each new release. These latest vintage bottlings are in particularly short supply. All the quoted remarks below are those of Peter Leim from his Champagnequide.net website. Peter’s ratings follow the Michelin Guide style where even a single star “...denotes a wine of particular quality and distinctiveness of character, one that stands out among its peers in some significant way.”
“This is blended from two vineyards of similar terroir: Le Champ Bouton in Avize, which is fermented in tank, and Bionnes in Cramant, vinified in 600-liter oak casks. While it shows the depth and amplitude of the vintage, its flavors of apple, white peach and orange citrus are unusually high-toned, feeling delicately poised despite their concentration. It’s all pinned down by laser-like acidity, producing a clean, kinetic tension on the palate, and it’s thoroughly saturated by aromas of chalk, particularly on the long, finely-detailed finish. It’s an excellent 2005, and should be long-lived. Last tasted: 11/11. 2 Stars”
“This is blended from two vineyards of similar terroir: Le Champ Bouton in Avize, which is fermented in tank, and Bionnes in Cramant, vinified in 600-liter oak casks. While it shows the depth and amplitude of the vintage, its flavors of apple, white peach and orange citrus are unusually high-toned, feeling delicately poised despite their concentration. It’s all pinned down by laser-like acidity, producing a clean, kinetic tension on the palate, and it’s thoroughly saturated by aromas of chalk, particularly on the long, finely-detailed finish. It’s an excellent 2005, and should be long-lived. Last tasted: 11/11. 2 Stars”
$239.95
2 STARS CHMPAGNEGUIDE.NET-"This is the first commercial release of this cuvée, although Agrapart has been experimenting with it since 2002. It's a blend Read More...
of equal parts Avizoises and Minéral, and made without chaptalization or dosage, using all indigenous yeasts for both the first and second fermentations. It feels broad and visceral, with a mouthfilling fragrance and a certain sweetness of fruit, and in its burnished, textural richness and expansive depth, it's more reminiscent of Vénus than of any of the estate's other cuvées—both of these were aged on cork and released without dosage, which could also be a factor in this regard. It's brilliantly pure in its clarity and expression, and while you can't say that it's more or less so than other Agrapart wines, it's a different kind of purity, one that's more individual and somehow more corporeal in character. It has a lot of finesse, supported and enlivened by its minerality, and it has a great deal to say: this is a wine to spend some time with, and one that every champagne aficionado should experience."
$8.95
Nicolas Catena's Alamos brand has fashioned another fabulous value with its smoky white fruit-scented 2011 Chardonnay. Medium-bodied and elegant, this wine coats the tasters Read More...
palate with layers of well-focused, rich, plump apples and pears that are intermingles with notes of buttered toast. In addition, its well-balanced, highly expressive and refined personality has outstanding concentration and length.
$14.99
Working in partnership for more than 30 years, Thekla and Richard Sanford founded multiple, successful winegrowing enterprises. Their latest venture, Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Read More...
represents the culmination of a lifetime's experience – an enterprise dedicated to creating high quality wines and setting a benchmark for organic farming, sustainable agriculture methods, and environment-friendly commerce.
$6.95
A refreshing and slightly sweet blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Moscato.
$44.95
David Arthur has sourced their Chardonnay grapes from the Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley for nearly a decade, and cherish their relationships with these independent growers that Read More...
offer small parcels and unique clonal selections. Winemaker's Notes: Light gold in hue, this wine wafts aromas of baked granny smith apples, poached pear, and citrus marmalade with hints of vanilla-honey and toasted pine nuts. The palate is rich and broad in texture with medium body and light mineral acidity on the finish. -Nile Zacherle
$37.95
The August West 2009 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay is comprised entirely of Dijon Clone 76. The 1.4 tons yielded from the '09 harvest produced 3 barrels, or just 72 cases! Of the Read More...
3 barrels, 2 were neutral French oak, and 1 was a new Cadus cooperage barrel. Cadus is one of the most subtle barrels available, so the oak impact in the wine is very well-integrated.The '09 Rosella's Chardonnay appears at this stage to be headed for a long, slow development in the bottle. This 2009 Rosella's is quite closed in the nose and actually requires some air time to begin to reveal its origins. The fragrant Santa Lucia Highlands bouquet of tropical and citrus fruits emerges in the glass and also shows a well-balanced palate with plenty of acidity for aging.
$19.99
Winery's Notes: This unique blend bursts with bright citrus, tropical aromas, layered with pineapple and floral notes. Each grape variety in this blend contributes its own Read More...
individual attributes which combine to make this wine spectacular. Viognier offers lovely and delicately perfumed aromas. Sauvignon Blanc adds crisp, clean citrus refreshment, with hints of grapefruit. Lastly, the barrel fermented Chardonnay brings a rich, creamy texture and a luscious full-bodied mouthfeel with flavors of golden apples and lemon chiffon. Artful winemaking with these three varietals creates a singularly stellar white wine. It's a triple treat!"
$17.99
Firepeak Vineyard is unique in many ways. First, by virtue of its proximity to the ocean, it is afforded one of the longest growing seasons on the state, allowing for full development Read More...
of varietal character. Secondly, Firepeak Vineyard is planted at the foot of Islay Mountain, the last in a chain of extinct volcanoes known as the Seven Sisters, providing unusual volcanic soils. These factors, along with winemaker Christian Roguenant’s intrinsic talent of blending small lots of Chardonnay into one exemplary wine each vintage, is what Grand Firepeak Cuvee, or GFC, is all about.
$16.98
It’s not often that tank-fermented Chardonnay delivers the depth and texture of Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay. This rich and diverse wine has bright fruit aromas and a nicely balanced Read More...
mouth feel. The complex bouquet includes key lime, lemon peel, peaches and apricots. The crisp tartness complements the wine’s natural viscosity and creates balance and elegance. This wine is extremely versatile with food. It's textured and plush enough to compliment rich seafood like lobster, crab and scallops, but also has a crisp acidity and fruit flavors that can pair nicely with more diverse flavors like grilled pork tenderloin with a fresh apple reduction sauce.
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