So my wife and I want to buy a very nice chardonnay for my in-laws as a thank you gift. We would like to keep it $80 and below. My in-laws enjoy the Rombauer chardonnay flavor profile, smooth and buttery. They prefer Napa Valley chardonnays. What are some of the best that fit that type of Chardonnay?
Also, one wine I have been looking at is the 2007 Ramey Hyde Chardonnay. Would anybody know if that wine fits the Rombauer profile? Thanks.
Kongsgaard.
It may not be available for <$80, but I’d say Aubert fits the profile you are after.
I think Kistler makes the best chardonnays of the more opulent style, and they have the prestige/name value in spades if the recipients would know or care about that. Some of their single vineyard chardonnays from Napa and most are from Sonoma. They are wines that can really wow both the casual wine drinker and the experienced one (unless that latter were very strident about not liking any wines of that general style). Here’s a great deal on a Hyde Vinyard 2005: 2005 Kistler "Hyde Vineyard" Carneros Chardonnay - SKU 1037655
For something easier to find, Shafer’s Red Shoulder Ranch chardonnay sells for about $48 or so and is excellent, plus is from Napa instead of Sonoma, since you indicated that matters to them. It’s sort of a compromise style between the richest/oakiest and the more French style (it does not undergo malolactic fermentation, but is aged in oak), but it has plenty of size and richness to it.
Ramey Hyde is also a very good Napa chardonnay, like the Shafer, it is a big chardonnay but not a disgustingly sweet and oaky one, retaining some good citrus and acid to keep it in balance. It sells for around $45-50, I think.
Suggest Peter Michael La Carriere, Ma Belle Fille or Mon Plaisir Chardonnays! They are not really in the Rombauer style, but very full bodied, powerful wines that they may find appealing . . .
Morning all,
Just for a bit of a change, why not get them a Chardy from outside your noble country? Jean Thevenet’s Domaine de la Bongran Macon’s are distinctly buxom and voluptuous enough to charm the most Franco-phobe of palates. Or if you fancy an Australian wine then Cape Mentelle’s Chardonnay is pretty well-stacked. Moss Wood’s offering is even better. A change is as good as a rest, so we are told.
Anon,
David.
I’d go with Kongsgaard as well. Big style like they prefer, but with a nice streak of acidity that keeps it from being a cloying butter ball like Rombauer.
Moss Wood’s Chard is awesome stuff if you can find it. Older Hanzell might fit the bill too. Couple past notes on Ramey Hydes.
From 2009
"2003 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
This is a damned big wine. If you’re only dialed into subtle and elegant, you may want to give this a miss. But I like this style at times, especially if it’s done well, and I loved this. The bouquet bursts with pineapple, dab of coconut, star fruit and buttery oak. That oak continues on palate, but it is just the right amount to go with some vibrant underlying acidity and tremendous expression of pineapple, mango, papaya and citrus. The finish is long and honeyed. A very complete package and my Wine of the Night by a fair margin. Again, in its certain style, it is a winner. The spicy chipotle-mole chicken I served really unlocked the fruit flavours here."
"2005 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
This is “softer” than the Ritchie—a little more smoky and yeasty. And it’s one for the cellar—big structure and good “grip” for a while. Touch of almond aftertaste. Needs time for sure."
I’ve still got my 05 cellared safely away, this was from a taste back in 2008. The Red Shoulder Ranch from Shafer is very solid as well, +1 on that reco.
Montelena. That is all.
+1 - Kistler not only makes great chard but is also excellent QPR
As an alternative, may I recommend the work being done at Shibumi Knoll? Their Buena Terra Vineyard Chardonnay is out of this world, has excellent body and sophistication without being overly heavy. http://www.shibumiknoll.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - Their 2008 BTV Chard is $65.
Will, this is not a slam, but I don’t understand the popularity of Rombauer. I tasted it a couple of times and it was a mess, overoaked, oversweet, out of balance, etc etc. Here in So Cal it is wildly popular. I understand the appeal of opulence, richness and ripeness, but the buttered popcorn, heavy vanilla and butterscotch in Rombauer seems way over the top. Can somebody explain it to me?
Marlene, agree with you generally speaking. Of the few Rombauer Chardonnay I have tasted, they did not come across very well, oversweet, out of balance, etc. as you mention. I think the popularity comes from the wine being on so many restaurant wine lists (think Rafanelli and Silver Oak). The fact it is on so many wine lists, and exposed to so many people, bound to develop a few fans.
Get them 2 Rombauers
Simple. It’s got a cache, widely available, is “premium” but not too expensive, and is exactly the profile that a lot of drinkers want. For a lot of folks, this is tasty and easy to drink.
I think you pretty much answered your own question. But if you really want over the top, try Rombauer’s zinfandel. It makes Mollydooker look like off-vintage Burgundy.
You don’t have to spend major bucks to get a nice chard. Try the mount eden estate.
Don’t try and understand it…open some CdBeaune and forget about it. I was talking to the GM at the place we had dinner tonight, about this very subject, actually. He is trying to move his wife off the buttery, oaky CA chards and she is having separation challenges!