2002 Travis Monterey Chardonnay Riverside Vineyard, $11.99: This medium straw colored white gives pure Chardonnay pear flavors, shaded with mineral, canned peas and asparagus that add to, rather than detract from the appeal; it’s unadorned by oak, having been fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel. It’s also unfiltered, so if you chill it down too much, it seems a bit cloudy, but don’t let that put you off; everyone I’ve poured this for has really enjoyed it. Medium full bodied, with good acids, a smooth texture and a long finish that combine to make for one eminently drinkable glass of wine. This is a big favorite at our house; we’ve already gone through a case in the last month, and now we’re working on a second! If you can still find this, buy it all up; the ‘03 is going has taken quite a price jump (mid to upper teens), from what I’ve been told.
- from Warm Weather Whites, 2006
Reporting from Day-twah,
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