New Style Chardonnay
Our Wednesday tasters are a politely contentious lot, but last week they agreed on one thing, that the six chardonnays showed a consistent forward freshness. Several people had difficulty deciding which they preferred.
May 24, 2017
Nonetheless a favorite was somewhat of a surprise. The 2016 Tamber Bey Unoaked Chardonnay was the most mentioned and most purchased that night. It Had a focussed and resilient fruit, whose ripeness did not overwhelm its balance. It was another one of those can-I-have-another-taste wines .
The two burgundies were also liked, the 2014 Collovray et Terrier Viré-Clessé, showing somewhat more oak, richness, and concentration than the 2015 Auvigue Mâcon-Solutré. The comparative finesse and acidity of the 2015 Champ Divin Cotes de Jura was unfortunately lost in comparison with the richer fruit of the others.
There were fewer comments on the organic 2016 Saracina Unoaked Chardonnay and the 2014 Twenty Rows Chardonnay Napa, although each was the preference of some.
White
2016 Saracina Chardonnay Unoaked - Organic; Aroma: light fresh clean; lightly fresh herbal round; Mouth: clean light & lithe, very pretty acid fruit, good acidity, bright fresh fruit; Very Good Plus 18.99; Mixed Case, 17.09; Case, 16.14
2014 Twenty Rows Chardonnay Napa; Aroma: restrained but juicy, light oak, fresh, very pretty fullish; Mouth: juicy tropical oak on the front, a touch of & gingerhoney, round; Very Good Plus 19.99; Mixed Case, 17.99; Case, 16.99
2015 Auvigue Mâcon-Solutré; Aroma: Sweet fruit, pretty lemon green plum; Mouth: Rich rather juicy, firm, fleshy & broad, thick; Very Good Plus 22.99; Mixed Case, 20.69; Case, 19.54
2015 Champ Divin Cotes de Jura Chardonnay - Organic; Aroma: Rather dense fullish modern, rich; Mouth: Clean sweet pretty lightly oaky, nice acidity, thick very fresh & juicy; Very Good Plus 26.99; Mixed Case, 24.29; Case, 22.94
2016 Tamber Bey Chardonnay Unoaked; Color: very pale green; Aroma: juicy chardonnay very fresh pretty, lean green papaya, crystalline in its precision; Mouth: juicy fresh lively pretty, nice acid juicy, tight, bright acid, clean; Very Good Plus 26.99; Mixed Case, 24.29; Case, 22.94
2014 Collovray et Terrier Viré-Clessé; Aroma: Sweet rather broad & rich; Mouth: Juicy very dense firm, fleshy very rich, pear; Very Good - Excellent 25.99; Mixed Case, 23.39; Case, 22.09
5-24 New Style Chardonnay Case: Special, two each of the above wines - $242
Instore only 5-24 New Style Chardonnay Pack: Special, one each of the above wines - $128
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
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- Len Rothenberg
(c) Federal Wine and Spirits Inc. 2017
