Two Winners From Rodney Strong For Around $20

2010 Chardonnay, Estate Vineyards, Chalk Hill

In 1965, founder Rod Strong was the first to plant chardonnay in what would later be recognized as the Chalk Hill American Viticultural Area (AVA), established officially in 1983. He recognized the region as distinct from the rest of Russian River Valley for its unique chalky white soils, which impart a subtle mineral character to wines grown there.

The 2010 vintage started with a cool and fairly wet spring that remained mostly frost free. The late rains generated a healthy canopy, but one that required careful management to avoid green flavors. The cool spring evolved into an exceptionally cool summer, punctuated by a three day heat spike in August which reduced yields in many varieties. September started out warm and ended the same way, giving us the ripeness we were waiting for, and we harvested the last of our Chalk Hill chardonnay on October 8th.

Barrel fermentation in new and seasoned French oak added toasty vanilla and spice complexities, and during 9 months of barrel ageing, we regularly stirred the "lees" in barrel, which adds a creamy texture and increases richness on the palate. Encouraging secondary fermentation adds additional complexity, and in the glass the wine is both creamy and crisp, with ripe apple, Meyer lemon, wet stone, and spiced vanilla flavors. Enjoy over the next 1-3 years.

SRP: $20 is excellent value. A lovely example of what California can do with Chardonnay. Loved the clean, fresh melon hints and food friendliness.

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2010 Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Rod Strong was among the first modern wine pioneers with a vision to plant pinot noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1968 he planted our heritage River East Vineyard in the alluvial clay-loam soils adjacent to the winery in Healdsburg. Today the Russian River Valley is well established as one of the premier pinot noir growing regions in the world, and we continue to rely on the original River East Vineyard as a core contributor to our estate vineyard bottling.

The 2010 vintage started with a cool and fairly wet spring that remained mostly frost free. The late rains generated a healthy canopy, but one that required careful management to avoid green flavors. The cool spring evolved into an exceptionally cool summer, punctuated by a three day heat spike in August which reduced yields in many varieties. September started out warm and ended the same way, giving us the ripeness we were waiting for, and we harvested the last of our Russian River pinot noir on October 7th.

Soft and silky, with intriguing floral and crushed pomegranate aromas, this medium bodied wine was aged for 11 months in small French oak barrels, which added a hint of toasty vanilla and spice complexity. Ideal for current enjoyment, this pinot noir will hold nicely over the next 2 to 4 years.

SRP: $20. Soft, easy going and perfect for chicken, light seafood and goat cheese.

 

 

 

Copyright 2012 By Punchin International. All Rights Reserved.

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Two Chardonnays at Affordable Prices Make Ideal Summer Drinking: William Hill and Frei Brothers Excel.

What a delicious wine.

Frei Bros. Reserve 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, at a suggested retail price of  $20.00, goes beautifully with seafood, light cheese, chicken and Japanese cuisine.

The balanced fruit and good acid make it the ideal wine for summer drinking.

At Frei Brothers Winery, they craft wines in a gentle, traditional style enhanced by the use of modern techniques to produce a wine that is both varietally accurate and reflective of the terroir of the Russian River Valley.  Chardonnay grapes are whole cluster pressed to eliminate bitterness and maximize fresh fruit characters. The wine completed malolactic fermentation, which resulted in a plush texture and deep, layered flavors that express the terroir of the Russian River Valley

This 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a soft and complex reflection of one of Sonoma’s most renowned cool-climate regions. This wine displays flavors of green apple, orange zest and apple pie, complemented by notes of butter and toast. The rich, nutty flavors in this Chardonnay lead to a silky finish and a plush mouthfeel.

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William Hill 2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay at a suggested retail price of $25.00 is another option. Somewhat more graceful, you’ll love the medium-light body and subtle finish. You’ll also adore it with shrimp and shellfish as well as goat cheese and duck.

This 2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay reflects a transition to a new contemporary style by revealing elegant ripe tree fruit flavors of baked apple, supported by layered notes of toasty oak, caramel, and brown spice. The wine has a moderate mouthfeel and sweetness balanced by refined, juicy acidity.

The 2010 growing season in Napa Valley can be described in one word: uneven. A cooler and wetter summer delayed harvest, and an August heat wave drove temperatures from the temperate 70s to a scorching 110°F or higher in some areas. To cap off the irregular nature of the vintage, unexpected heavy rains blanketed the valley in late October. Chardonnay grapes were largely protected from the excessive rainfall because they were harvested prior to the unusual downpour. Despite the challenges, wines from this vintage are displaying great quality and refined structure.

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2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Offer Top Value and Unsurpassed Quality

The Story of the 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Davis Bynum is distinguished as the first winery to produce a single vineyard pinot noir from Russian River Valley.  The vintage was 1973 and the grapes were from Joe Rochioli’s now prized vineyard. Today, more than thirty years later, the heritage of Davis Bynum lives on through hand crafted pinot noir and chardonnay grown
exclusively from prime vineyards in Russian River Valley.Chardonnay is among the most transparent of grape varieties, clearly showing the soils and climate in which
it was grown. They follow time-honored methods, bringing in whole clusters of carefully selected Russian River Valley chardonnay during the coldest part of the morning, pressing gently one batch at a time, and fermenting slowly in my favorite French oak barrels.

Final choices are made lot by lot, based on aroma, flavor, overall
balance, and what is called “mouthfeel.”Russian River Valley chardonnay expresses itself differently depending on location, site specifics, and the nature of the vines themselves.The winemaker seeks out the “middle reach” region of the valley, which runs just southwest of Healdsburg to the Wohler Bridge in Forestville.  This area tends to be slightly warmer than the very cool south-western sub regions. Then he focuses  specific vineyards that show superior vine balance thanks to well-drained, inherently low vigor soils. Finally,I choosing a select variety of chardonnay “clones” to enhance complexity, while keeping to the food friendly flavor profile that has always been a hallmark of Davis Bynum: a little lighter, without being lean; a little crisper, without being tart; a little more aromatic, without being distracting; and balanced with less oak and alcohol than you often find in California chardonnays.

SRP: $25. A genuine bargain and a delicious treat

Wine Maker Greg Morthole Notes: Russian River Valley chardonnay expresses itself differently depending on location, site specifics, and the nature of the vines themselves. I seek out the "middle reach" region of the valley, which runs just southwest of Healdsburg to the Wohler Bridge in Forestville. This area tends to be slightly warmer than the very cool south-western sub regions. Then I focus on specific vineyards that show superior vine balance thanks to well-drained, inherently low vigor soils. Finally, I choose a select variety of chardonnay "clones" to enhance complexity, while keeping to the food friendly flavor profile that has always been a hallmark of Davis Bynum: a little lighter, without being lean; a little crisper, without being tart; a little more aromatic, without being distracting; and balanced with less oak and alcohol than you often find in California chardonnays.

Copyright 2012 By Punch In International. All Rights Reserved.

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Backsberg Estate Cellars Kosher Wines Excel

The Back family’s history of winemaking in South Africa dates back to 1916 when they purchased their first farm. Today, Backsberg Estate comprises 110 ha of vineyards located along the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, midway between Paarl and Stellenbosch, not far from Cape Town. The region is blessed with a perfect climate full of sunny days in summer and cold wet days in winter. In addition to their traditional range, Backsberg also produce Kosher wines. Backsberg has become the first producer in South Africa and one of only three in the world to gain Carbon Neutral status by sequestrating its carbon emission. With an in-house environmentalist, the Back family is committed to preserving the environment through tree planting, conversion to bio fuel, setting aside land for the development of additional biomass and lighter weight bottles. “Care for the environment means care and concern for succeeding generations. As custodians of the land, it is our duty to understand and recognize potential threats, and to mitigate against them for the benefit of the next generation.” — MICHAEL BACK, PROPRIETOR OF BACKSBERG

Backsberg Estate Cellars Chardonnay 2010. SRP: $14.

 

Summary: Crisp, clean, with good acid and fruit. Lovely with roast chicken, broiled fish, smoked salmon.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel tank. It is Muvushal and kosher for Passover. Made under the auspices of the Cape Town Beth Din and the OU of the United States.

• Producer: Backsberg
• Wine Color: White
• Region: Paarl
• Country: South Africa

Blend: Chardonnay: 100%

Wine On Line Rating: A Major

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Backsberg Estate Cellars Kosher Merlot: SRP: $14

Summary

Winemaker Guillaume Nell produces this kosher merlot under the auspices of the Cape Town Beth Din and the OU of the United States

Aromas of raspberries and plum with fine tannins. Terrific companion to lamb, beef and root vegetables.

 

From Frederick Wildman and Sons Ltd.

http://frederickwildman.com

Wine On Line Rating: A Major

 

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J Vineyards Does It again: 2 Delightful Wines

2008 J Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

The 2008 J Vineyards Pinot Noir is a lush, full wine exhibiting the expressive character of the Russian River Valley. An excellent growing season provided a wine of great depth, with elegantly composed layers. Aromas of milk chocolate, rose petals, and wild blackberry fill the glass. As the wine opens there are hints of caramel, cinnamon and cloves. The traditional Pinot Noir flavors of cherry and strawberry are fully integrated with the subtle oak tannins

Lovely with salmon, roasts, light cheese.

The vineyards

Fruit for our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was sourced from our estate vineyards as well as selected growers in the Russian River Valley appellation. J estate vineyards are planted with different clones of Pinot Noir, including Dijon (113, 115, 777, and 667) as well as native (Rochioli, 2A). These clones are spread across a range of soil types from rocky riverbed to Goldridge sandy loam, and when combined are a comprehensive expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Processing

The fruit was night harvested to preserve freshness, and hand-sorted before de-stemming into open- and closed-top fermenters. The must was cold soaked 3-10 days before going through natural, extended fermentation. As fermentation nears completion, the wine is drained freely from the tanks into 100% Burgundian oak barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place. This process allows us to craft a beautifully balanced wine that exhibits a layered complexity of flavors and aromas.
Aging
The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Each lot was meticulously evaluated for blending. Once the final blends were created, the wine was returned to barrel to allow gentle integration before bottling. After bottling, the wine rested for at least six months.

Tasting Notes
The 2008 J Vineyards Pinot Noir is a lush, full wine exhibiting the expressive character of the Russian River Valley. An excellent growing season provided a wine of great depth, with elegantly composed layers. Aromas of milk chocolate, rose petals, and wild blackberry fill the glass. As the wine opens there are hints of caramel, cinnamon and cloves. The traditional Pinot Noir flavors of cherry and strawberry are fully integrated with the subtle oak tannins.
Winemaker:George Bursick
Appellation:Russian River Valley
Harvest Date:August 12 – October 2, 2009
Wine Alcohol:14.3% by volume
Wine Acid:5.5 grams per liter
Wine pH:3.73
Residual Sugar:0.15%
Production:18,000 cases
Bottling Date:March 2010
Release Date:January 2011

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J Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

This Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from throughout our Russian River Valley vineyards. A sensual, creamy palate supports a complex mix of papaya, jasmine, and lemon-lime citrus characters over the long finish

The 2008 J Vineyards Chardonnay is a sublime combination of old world minimalist technique and new world fruit expression. Notes of Meyer lemon, peach, vanilla, toasted almond and honey tickle the nose and mouth. The weighty, seamless palate has a creamy texture reminiscent of crème brûlée. A long luxurious finish exhibits hints of caramel, nutmeg and cinnamon

Good with shellfish, goat cheese, chicken and custards.

The vineyards

The grapes for 2008 Chardonnay come from several J estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley, as well as from select premium vineyard sites in the western region of the Russian River Valley.

Processing
Whole grape clusters were hand-harvested between 23 and 24 brix, and then pressed gently in our Coquard press to minimize the extraction of harsh components from the skins of the grapes; free-run and press fraction juices were fermented separately using a combination of indigenous and unique custom yeast strains from Burgundy. Long fermentations allowed the wine to develop slowly, maximizing its expression of terroir. Careful blending of more than 25 lots resulted in a beautiful expression of Chardonnay that is both powerful and refined and true to the Russian River Valley.

Aging
For this wine, the winery went to great lengths in finding unique French oak coopers selected from specific forests. The wine is 100% barrel-fermented and aged in 60-gallon Burgundian oak (40% new). A long, six-month malolactic fermentation was carried out resulting in automatic batonage, which produced exceptional sur lie character, as well as complex, layered aromas and flavors. Nearly a year of rest after bottling created a fully integrated and beautifully resolved wine that honors the traditions of Burgundy and is a true testament to the terroir of Russian River Valley.

Tasting Notes
The 2008 J Vineyards Chardonnay is a sublime combination of old world minimalist technique and new world fruit expression. Notes of Meyer lemon, peach, vanilla, toasted almond and honey tickle the nose and mouth. The weighty, seamless palate has a creamy texture reminiscent of crème brûlée. A long luxurious finish exhibits hints of caramel, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Winemaker:George Bursick
Appellation:Russian River Valley
Harvest Date:September 6 – October 2, 2008
Wine Alcohol:14.3 %
Wine Acid:6.00 grams per liter
Wine pH:3.50
Production:6,000 cases
Release Date:October 1, 2010
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Copyright 2011 By Punch In International. All Rights Reserved

William Hill Estate: Napa Valley Bench Blend Chardonnay. Wine On Line Rating: A Major

William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

Wine On Line Rating: A Major

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Bench Blend Chardonnay

Astounding example of what California CAN do with this so often maligned grape. Exquisite elegance, finesse, balance, subtle fruit and what a finish. Lovely with anything, from Pea Soup to Sausage to Salmon to Triple Crème Cheese or solo. A Personal favorite.

 

Varietal Origin: Napa Valley: 100% Weimer Clone from Carneros
Titratable Acidity: 0.56 g/100ml
pH: 3.35
Residual Sugar: 0.55 g/100ml
Alcohol Level: 14.2%
Harvest Dates: September 12, 2008

Wine Tasting Notes

The 2007 Reserve Chardonnay is creamy and complex displaying intense fruit aromas and flavors of white peach and ripe pear. The stone fruit combine with toasty oak, vanilla and coconut notes that extend through the rich, lingering finish.

Viticulture Notes

A dry winter and warm, dry spring initiated an early start to the 2007 growing season. The weather remained fairly mild through the harvest months with the only heat spike occurring in early September. Temperatures cooled throughout the remainder of September which slowed the ripening of certain varietals and set a good pace for the rest of harvest. This allowed winemakers to focus on bringing in and crushing one variety at a time. Many wineries waited until the very end of harvest to pick some of the later-ripening varieties, and were rewarded with a very high quality crop. Overall, the 2007 crop was much smaller and produced lower alcohol levels in the wines than in 2005 and 2006, but quality is exceptional.

Winemaker Notes

The Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested at night and then gently pressed as whole clusters prior to fermentation to maintain varietal aromas and flavors. The must was inoculated with the QA 23 yeast strain to initiate primary fermentation. Grape solids were left in the fermenting juice to add complexity and style. After primary fermentation was complete, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel in order to enrich the mouthfeel and further add complexity to the finished wine. The Chardonnay wine was aged in new and one-year old French oak barrels. The wine was filtered and fined and bottle aged 6 months prior to release

            Wine On Line Rating: A Major

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