Fans of buttery, rich California-style chardonnays will love the new vintage of Sonoma-Cutrer's Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Complete malolactic fermentation done entirely in barrel give this wine its texture and its oaky profile. Like a tropical breeze, the wine has spicy ginger, coconut, melon and white flower aromas on its nose. The aromas repeat again in the mouth, all pinned down by a zingy pineapple note. Try with a tangy cheese, like fresh chevre, or on its own. According to Wine Enthusiast: "Here's a rich Chardonnay. It's upfront in pineapple pie, peach cobbler, pear jam, apple butter and caramelly oak flavors, yet is dry and pleasantly crisp in acidity.

The Chardonnays of Sonoma Cutrer have always veered to the restrained side of the varietal spectrum, and, while this bottling starts out with a fair bit of honeyed-apple richness, it steers to firmness with minerals and firm acids its most lasting traits. Its tendency to stiffness may abate some with age, and it is a wine that should match up nicely with a wide range of white-fleshed fish recipes.

Community Tasting Notes (average 85.7 pts. and median of 86 pts. in 15 notes)

Rating for United States-California: 87 (average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: unpredictable<br/>

Crisp with no wood or butter, paired well with baked fish

A favorite Chardonnay

need to try

Nice