Rombauer Chardonnay 2005
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Rombauer Vineyards' Carneros Chardonnay is a 100% malolactic fermentation Chardonnay. Rich and fullbodied, this wine boasts ripe pear, peach, and mango flavors and aromas. The creamy texture of Asian pears and peaches glide across the palate while light oak tones highlight the wine's complex and lingering finish.
"We have a particular style that we've developed with that wine. I wouldn't call it buttery per se, but it is rich. Maybe some people might think it has buttery descriptors. We say
it's fruit forward and that the oak is very integrated into the wine. Probably texturally it seems buttery; it's thick."
- G. Graham, Winemaker
"Seductive aromas of honeysuckle, fig and melon turn smooth and silky on the palate. Almost sweetish, with a nice touch of vanilla-scented oak that provides an added flavor dimension."
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92 Points
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Connoisseurs'
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One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.