2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Each year, we release a Chardonnay blend right before summer hits so that we have something
affordable, fun and food friendly for the summer months. You could call this our village level
Chardonnay. It is meant to be serious like our other wines, but not too expensive to be a special a
occasion wine. In all honesty it is a blend of the leftover barrels from the Babushka Chardonnay
blending sessions. This “massive” two-barrel blend is comprised of one barrel from Keefer Ranch
and one barrel from Sapphire Hill Vineyard. We aged the lots separately on the lees for 16 months
and made the final barrel selections prior to bottling. This wine is a crisp, refreshing Chardonnay
that shows just a bit of richness. It is styled like a California Chardonnay with and old world twist.
On the nose you are greeted with scents of apricot, wet stones and a touch of mint. Just like its
sister blend, the Babushka, the flavor profile is more exotic than the 2007. It sometimes reminds
me of a Muscadet. The finish is chalky, crisp and mouth watering.
I say pop this wine to go with some rich Gouda cheese prior to dinner, and then go into a crispy
greens and goat cheese salad, and if you still have some left when it is time for the main course
pair it with some thin crusted pizzas topped with Teleme cheese, pears and caramelized onions
"2008 Zepaltas Wines Chardonnay Russian River Valley
($23) Yellow-gold. Exotic tropical and pit fruits on the nose, with smoky floral and spice qualities adding complexity. Juicy and broad in the mouth, with lush peach and pineapple flavors joined by a slow-building mineral quality that adds lift and lingers on the aftertaste. I'd drink this now, for its open-knit fruit.
88 "
-Tanzer June 2010
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