Wine Tasting: Chardonnay

A more subdued event than usual, but that gave us more time to try things before they ran out! Favorites in bold, as usual.

1. Franck Bonville Brut Selection Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($27): sour and bitter, says Cindy; minerals and acid, says me; would be great with oysters


2. 2005 Blason Chardonnay ($10): inexpensive Italian Chard, good value, quite drinkable


3. 2004 Stony Hill Napa Estate Chardonnay ($35): very, very austere out of the bottle, opened up over an hour or more, dominated by minerals, nearly no oak, the opposite of most California Chardonnays


4. 2004 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay ($15): classic California Chardonnay, buttery


5. 2005 Puligny Montrachet, Domaine Paul Pernot ($40): in the decanter, a favorite, complex, earthier flavors, real wine


6. 2002 Scherrer Winery Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($30): lovely, best balance of the California offerings, with a little oak, but not too much


7. 2005 Chablis, Domaine Vocoret ($18)


8. 2005 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Margaret River Chardonnay ($28): a favorite of mine, tropical nose, not very Chardonnay-like


9. 2004 Meursault, “Les Clous”, Bouchard Pere & Fils ($30)