Matt

9.2

So much SO2 at first, this needed a full day open to blow off. Subtle nose of wet stone, some pomaceous fruit, SO2. You could argue its flawed given the perceptible sulphur. With air and vigorous aeration it slowly unwinded and blew off. Palate is gorgeous though, it is taut with a defined sensibility to it. Lemon peel, orange zest, ripe pear, white peach, orchard blossom, crushed flint and chalk, hazelnut, popcorn, and an ever so slight touch of vanilla and spice on the long finish. A thread of reduction no surprise there. Plenty of top-of-the slope character with racy acid and mineral backbone. I find it rather finessed all in all. Would love to revisit in 5-8 years. — 5 years ago

Sean Whelan

9.3

The review mentioning movie theater buttered popcorn over a blackberry crumble had me questioning that person’s sanity, then I smelled it again and SHE’S RIGHT DAMMIT. Couldn’t believe it. Anyway this is a great wine. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this, especially since I’ve gone through who knows how many this year. For me, Hudson chardonnay fruit is very distinctive aromatically, as I pick up clove and juicy fruit gum notes. Added notes of vanillin, Anjou pears and a touch of marzipan. Certainly rich in style and unmistakably Cali but lots of deep flavor and complexity. Honeyed Passion fruit, sea salted popcorn, and almond pastry on the palate. Good acidity as well. I’ve also found Hudson chardonnay fruit to be best enjoyed on the young side, but that may vary by producer. A consistently delicious chardonnay. — 6 years ago

Adam Eagan

9.3

Have had this wine more than a few times over the years. All the classic Oaked Cali components are there. This vintage showing a little less floral quality than previous vintages. Beautiful fruit, pineapple, butterscotch, popcorn kernel, vanilla and bright acidity. Really a pretty wine. Very hookable!!😍 — 6 years ago

Lauren Hunter Lee

9.2

Consume w popcorn covered in olive oil and parmesan — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Forgot to post these from the other day. Mark, Dan and I were able to enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the wine storage facility, and some unique stuff was opened, as always!

Don’t think I’ve ever had this PM Chardonnay. Great nose of salted popcorn kernel and the finish had a mineral & stone driven note. Hint of caramel too. Probably in its best drinking window. Thanks Dan. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Mark

Chris Freeman

10

Amazing can with butter popcorn — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; green apple, candle wax, lime candy, pineapple, tropical melons, cream, some buttered popcorn, white peach, honeycomb, dry & fresh herbs, soft, powdery chalkiness, saline, limestone minerals, volcanics, sea fossils, steeliness, vanillin, lanolin, cheese rind with yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine and fruit blossoms.

The mouthfeel is; full, round, lush and gorgeous with high viscosity. Green apple, candle wax, lime candy, very ripe, juicy pineapple flesh, kiwi, tropical melons, cream, some buttered popcorn, white peach, honeysuckle to honey, caramel notes, dry & fresh herbs, soft, powdery chalkiness, saline, hints of dry grass, grippy limestone minerals & grey volcanics, sea fossils, white spice, steeliness, vanillin, lanolin, cheese rind with yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine and fruit blossoms. The acidity is lively and round. The finish is minutes, nicely balanced in fruit & minerality, palate penetrating white spice with some mid intensity heat.

Gets better and better as it warms and opens up.

Photos of; Lalou Bize-Leroy (aka “The Queen of Burgundy”) tending & singing to her vines, one of their amazing vineyards and their 2015 wines aging barrel. — 5 years ago

AJ Gubser

9.3

Flint, smoke, pear, biscuit, mineral. A little sulphury at first but evolves to buttered popcorn and lemon cream with some aeration.

Cream, biscuit, green apple, lemon with some steely minerality. Fairly high but well integrated acidity and pretty drinkable now.

One of the more Burgundian Champagnes I've had. Seems to be a bit more oak and/or ML influence by the notes on the nose. Tasty stuff either way. — 6 years ago

with Brooks

Severn G

9.5

Dinner with friends tonight, light notes if any.

This bottle is so over the top, and we love it, not even a 1er Cru! Prior notes apply:

Nose is the epitome of pineapple core with buttered popcorn and white flowers sneaking around.

Palate exudes tropical fruits, pineapple, papaya, lychee, light mango...All with low acidity making this so ridiculously enjoyable. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2016 ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay by Beringer is a stunning wine by superstar winemaker Mark Beringer. Sourced from the Gamble Ranch Vineyard in the Oakville AVA, this wine starts off with beautiful aromas of apricot creme brulee, vanilla cream and kumquat with macadamia nut. The palate is plush and shows a seductive mouthfeel as the wine unveils vanilla cream, buttered popcorn, white peach, butterscotch and roasted pineapple flavors. Seductive and rich, yet beautifully balanced and layered, this is a complete wine by Beringer that will cellar marvelously for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 6 years ago

Joakim Andersson

9.1

Wonderful complexity with a great balance between fresh pineapple and apple and buttery popcorn. Nice minerality too! — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This is absolutely ridiculous. One of the best chardonnays I’ve ever had...all have been from Dan! Best nose on a Chardonnay I can remember. Salted popcorn kernels, toasted brioche, sweet caramel. The palate is gorgeously textured...lingers full of savory notes and wet rock. Benchmark Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

with Dan, Benjamin and 1 other

Dennis Kellison

9.2

Very flavorful buttery, oaky, slight popcorn... great Chardonnay! — 5 years ago

with Karen

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Alive and well showing a beautiful golden color and still packing plenty of richness. No premox here, torched pineapple, buttered popcorn, toasted hazelnuts, damp earth and toasted coconut. Finishes with tremendous length and depth. Drink through 2015? Nah chill. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Lots of sour lemons, lime candy, overripe pineapple, apricots, green & golden apple-more green, beeswax, honeysuckle, butterscotch, thick & a little gluey, white spice with heat, solid structure/backbone, buttered popcorn, cream, lots of chalkiness, volcanic minerals, oak char, limestone with fruit blossoms, jasmine & yellow lilies. The acidity is round & nicely executed. The long round, well balanced, polished finish is delicious and persists for minutes.

Over chilled it, decanted it 40 minutes.

These will benefit from 5-7 years in bottle. Curious about the 17 vintage. Have additional bottles for later.

Thanksgiving part II. — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of yellow apple ale lightly buttered popcorn. Medium full bodied palate echoes the nose with medium plus acidity. Balance is key. Buttery to be sure, but everything else is there too. If you like the classic California style, this gives it in spades. Pair with lobster, roast chicken, or cream sauces. — 6 years ago

Andy Hock

9.0

Baked red apple, buttered popcorn, hay. But understated and pretty well balanced with bright citric acid. Very nice structure, a little oxidation from the age, but standing up quite well. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Another 4th Friday for the books, and one of the best of the year!

I think this was my white wine of the day; insane! Sweetened popcorn kernel, butterscotch, lemon meringue pie; incredible complexity; honeyed walnuts and lemon tart. A top end west coast Chardonnay. — 7 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.0

Delicious, true old world style chardonnay. Rich, roasted popcorn, mineral freshness, clean and subtle. Some cross between a rich meursault and a lean chablis. — 8 years ago