2 | Wine | New Arrivals, Chardonnay

"Cold Creek Chardonnay is typified by concentration and intensity from the 40-year-old vines and warmth of the site. This Chardonnay is a decadent style with ripe fruit and a toasty character. The cooler 2011 vintage in Washington provided enhanced acidity with an elegant finish. The combination of a powerful vineyard in a cooler vintage makes for a very balanced and ageable style of Chardonnay."

"This graceful Chardonnay opens with aromas of fresh-cut Honey Crisp apple, citrus, toasted vanilla bean and hints of poached Comice pear and lilac. The wine has a full entry with flavors of ripe apple and delicate oak notes. There is a nice balance to the acidity and minerality that enhances the freshness and elegance of this wine. The long finish is reminiscent of Nilla wafers with banana cream pudding."

"Aromatics are the order of the day for our Napa chardonnay, which speaks loudly of our cool climate, marine-influenced vineyard. Oaks take a lesser role in recent vintages, and we celebrate the fresh, crisp style that complements many foods by allowing less than a quarter of the wine to undergo malolactic fermentation. Bright fruits boasting of pear and green apple are accented with a bit of citrus zest and honeybell, balanced with a creamy brioche and touch of vanilla. We age the wine in mostly neutral French oak to enhance mouthfeel. This is the new face of California chardonnay, a wine to enjoy as an apéritif or as a worthy complement to wonderful presentations of your favorite dishes."

"Aromas of pear, lime and orange blossom mingle with subtle floral notes and the perfect amount of sweet toasty oak and vanilla. On the palate, intensely forward fruit and bright natural acidity complement each other and lead to a long rich finish."

"As with the prior vintage, 2011 Signature Chardonnay was shaped by a cool, slow-ripening season and displays intricate aromatics and rich, persistent flavors. A tempting bouquet mingles lemon blossom and jasmine with citrus, then unfolds intriguing notes of nutmeg and quince. Generous flavors of lemon custard, pears and apples are wrapped in a creamy mouthfeel, while a streak of stony minerality gives the wine zest and complexity. The oak is exceptionally well-integrated, offering spicy qualities that linger on the finish."

"Structure and restraint melded with bountiful opulence is another. In the glass, buttery brioche marries with tropical fruits in an irresistible elixir that will leave the bottle drained before you know it."

"The 2011 Stiling Chardonnay is a wonderful blend of floral, citrus, apple and mineral components wrapped into one. Lemon, tangerine and apple flavors combined with hints of Muscat are layered with an intriguing mineral element. Toasty French oak pairs nicely with the fruit, adding a creaminess that rounds out the middle palate and carries the flavors into a supple finish."

"Aromas of freshly cut Fuji and Granny Smith apples, stone fruits and white flowers lead to vibrant minerality and bright fruit flavors. The creamy mid-palate is framed by well-integrated French oak and lively acidity that carry through to a refreshingly long finish."