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Napa Chardonnay Tasting

I attended a great tasting in Miami this week where I had the chance to try some stellar wines from Napa.  This “Master Class” was sponsored by the Guild of Sommeliers, and was conducted by Master Sommelier Matt Stamp, assisted by Master Sommelier Andrew McNamara.

We did many flights of some fabulous wines, but today I want to chat about the flight of Chardonnay we tried.  All three wines are 100% Chardonnay.

 

Massican 2011 Chardonnay – The Massican is a very elegant, understated Chardonnay.  On the nose are citrus, fresh cut grass and a hint of sea stones.  The well-balanced palate has green apple, citrus, a hint of melon and a lovely creaminess.  This producer has a reputation for making great young wines, where one doesn’t need to wait too long to drink them.

 

Mayacamas 2000 Chardonnay – Nope, that’s not a typo.  This is indeed a 2000.  And it’s drinking fabulously!!!  Grown on the famous St. George rootstock, these vines are 63 years old.  Well, they were in 2000!  Winemaker Bob Travers is notorious for making long-lived wines, including his Chardonnay.  This golden colored wine has some citrus and stone on the nose.  The palate has pear and a hint of vanilla.  I loved the “Old World” feel of this wine.  If you find a bottle of this 2000 Mayacamas, I suggest that you buy it and enjoy it soon!

 

 

 

 

Kongsgaard 2010 Chardonnay – I’m not normally a huge lover of big oaky Chardonnay, but the Kongsgaard is definitely the exception.  This wine knocked my socks off!  It is very aromatic with vanilla and pear.  It is definitely big and oaky, but it is so well made that the oakiness isn’t obtrusive.  The acidity and minerality balances out the oak and leaves a rich, delectable fruitiness that lingers on the palate for a nice long time.  I’ve been literally craving a glass of this wine every day since I tasted it this week!

 

 

 

 

This was a wonderful selection of very well made Napa Chardonnays, all created in a different style and producing lovely, and very different, wines.  If you have the opportunity to taste any of these Chardonnays, my advice is to definitely do so!  In fact, seek them out!  If you’re a fan of Chardonnay, you won’t regret it.

 

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