I’m not a huge chardonnay drinker but over the last year or so I’ve become more and more interested. So far, I prefer Burgundy and not much oak. Best I’ve had recently was a 2005 Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet. I just popped this 2007 Rivers-Marie and I’m VERY impressed.
First of all, the color is a much deeper yellow than I expected, not Sauternes, but much deeper and more viscous than anticipated. I have a hard time identifying specific notes in Chardonnay, but I’m getting vanilla, honey, citrus, and some other things I can’t identify (figs?). Terrific balance of fruit, acidity and a weight which I’m surprised at. Usually if I sense much weight in a Chardonnay it’s from the oak and it’s too distracting – this is different, like a slight viscosity that’s very surprising in a dry white wine. This is really something and I’m afraid my crab soup is going to overpower it – I’ll have to drink it before and after dinner with a little with the soup.
Very impressed with everything I’ve had from Rivers-Marie – pinot noir, cabernet, and now chardonnay. Looking forward to the next mailer.
Rob Adelson