What Is America's Benchmark Chardonnay?

[Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l]

Actually 2000 was the inaugural Aubert vintage.

That being said, I have had quite a bit of Aubert and Peter Michael Chardonnays. Less on the Marcassin side of things, although as mentioned, the 96 Marcassin “Lorenzo Vyd” Chard is still my favorite CA Chard of all time.

The Peter Michael’s (esp the 01/02) were every bit as good as the Aubert’s early but seemed to fade faster than the Auberts. The Auberts in those vintages were better than the Marcassin’s I tasted from the same period. The Marcassin showed much more wood (even though both winemakers use 100% new oak IIRC). I haven’t had the 01 or 02 Marcassin’s recently but have had some 01 and 02 Auberts and while they are not quite as interesting as they were 1-2 years after release, they aren’t over the hill either.

I do love Mt Eden though for its balance and price. Also, let’s not forget David Ramey Chardonnays. His single vineyard Chards can be quite good in the same Aubert/Marcassin/Peter Michael vein.

[Loren_Sonkin]

For me it is Kongsgard The Judge, if we are talking the best quality and theone put on a (price?) pedestal. If it is sales, it is Kendal Jackson I think. But then, I found Chards boring compared to so many “lesser” whites.

[CFu]

@Loren Sonkin

For me it is Kongsgard The Judge, if we are talking the best quality and theone put on a (price?) pedestal. If it is sales, it is Kendal Jackson I think. But then, I found Chards boring compared to so many “lesser” whites.

+1.

[Phillip_F_r_a_n_k_s]

Jeff,

Have you tried the Stony Hill and Mt Eden’s from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s? If so how often and when?

This is really going to boil down to a style debate as well. Those two producers will never win if you like the richer style Chards.

[Marlene_L_Rossman]

Help me out here…I tasted Rombauer once and gagged.
Why is it so popular???

[CFu]

@P. Robert

I won’t call it a benchmark Chardonnay but has anyone tried Arcadians Sleepy Hollow Chards? To me, consistent year in year out goodness. I will say the old Mt Edens I have had are nothing short of stellar

the 05 is stellar but some of the other ones aren’t quite as good.

[Jim_Brennan]

@Jeff Leve

Bill, I am flattered you read and enjoy so many of posts and find them so interesting, you want to share my views with others. Is this a secret bromance thing? .

Leve:

I think Bill was actually writing to Keith Levenberg.

Regardless… we all think it’s cute, in a narcissistic way, that you likely found the comment by searching the forums for “Leve” to see who has been talking about you.

Oops… my bad… I see that there was a thread over in that other place. I don’t read there anymore. I’ll shut up now.

[ToddFrench]

Marlene - because you actually like wine. It’s ‘cougar juice’ because women aged 30-60 will kill for it, but only those who drink Chateau St. Jean as a daily drinker.

Jeff - bravo to you for once again showing up in the middle of the minefield - I have to respect that. However, I would vastly disagree with your opinion regarding Marcassin. I’ve had it twice (yes, not much) and couldn’t stand it either time. I have a VERY hard time believing these Bordeaux buddies of yours didn’t detect ANY heat. That stuff is yellow Isopropyl Alcohol. I know I’m in the minority in not liking it, at all, but that’s okay. Give me Grand Cru Chablis over Marcassin ANY day of the week.

I’ve heard so much about the Kongsgard The Judge, but never had the chance to give it a whirl.

[Phillip_F_r_a_n_k_s]

Todd, I really don’t think it would be your style. It’s BIG stuff.

[Cris_Whetstone]

@Phillip Franks

Todd, I really don’t think it would be your style. It’s BIG stuff.

+1

And often far too ripe for me as well.

[ToddFrench]

@Cris Whetstone

@Phillip Franks

Todd, I really don’t think it would be your style. It’s BIG stuff.

+1

And often far too ripe for me as well.

Since that’s what I don’t like about Marcassin…guess I’ll skip it.

I should have known that since C. Fu likes it, it’s got to be BIG.

[Jim_Brennan]

I’m with Terry Theise… the best Chardonnay I’ve ever tasted came from the town of RIESLING.

[Bob_Wood]

@Todd F r e n c h

Marlene - because you actually like wine. It’s ‘cougar juice’ because women aged 30-60 will kill for it, but only those who drink Chateau St. Jean as a daily drinker.

Wait one minute here! Have you forgotten the immortal words of “Ta Ta” - or whatever her name is? A woman under thirty is a Puma.

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

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[Bob_Wood]

@Bill Tex Landreth

Ya Ya…get it right.

Ya Ya, Ta Ta . . . at least I didn’t call her Shirley.

@Bill Tex Landreth

Oh, and hi Jeff. Tell Mark I said hello.

[Jeff_Leve]

@Todd F r e n c h

Marlene - because you actually like wine. It’s ‘cougar juice’ because women aged 30-60 will kill for it, but only those who drink Chateau St. Jean as a daily drinker.

Jeff - bravo to you for once again showing up in the middle of the minefield - I have to respect that. However, I would vastly disagree with your opinion regarding Marcassin. I’ve had it twice (yes, not much) and couldn’t stand it either time. I have a VERY hard time believing these Bordeaux buddies of yours didn’t detect ANY heat.

Todd… Thanks. I am happy to man up and talk about wine. I just do not want to get into any arguments on non wine topics. If you tasted Marcassin and did not like it, that’s cool with me. I am not willing to mention names, but I am comfortable sharing wine makers from other countries points of view. I always like seeing what others think. Not one person has mentioned heat in Marcassin. It’s not a characteristic I find in the wine either. But wine, like life is all about personal taste.

@Phillip Franks

Jeff,

Have you tried the Stony Hill and Mt Eden’s from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s? If so how often and when? This is really going to boil down to a style debate as well.

Phillip

I seldom get to taste them. But last year, Frank Tota brought a flight of them to a tasting and served them double blind. Perhaps he’ll chime in and let us know the vintages. I found each to be worse than the next. But it could have been the bottles. You are right about it being a matter of style and more importantly, a matter of personal taste. Just because I think something is a benchmark does not mean anyone else needs to agree.

@Jim Brennan

@Jeff Leve

Bill, I am flattered you read and enjoy so many of posts and find them so interesting, you want to share my views with others. Is this a secret bromance thing? .

Leve:

I think Bill was actually writing to Keith Levenberg.

Regardless… we all think it’s cute, in a narcissistic way, that you likely found the comment by searching the forums for “Leve” to see who has been talking about you.

Brennan: Next time you want to take a shot, you might look to see if your gun is loaded. Please see the postings from Bill, who started the thread.

@Bill Tex Landreth

@Andrew Hall

I am guessing there is some backstory here to which I am oblivious, but it strikes me as a wierd question. A.

From this statement…

“2004 Marcassin Marcassin is the best California Chardonnay to share with visitors from other countries. They never see the wine in Bordeaux. They are very aware this is our benchmark Chardonnay.”

@Bill Tex Landreth

@Tony V e l e b i l

Not sure who issued that statement …

Leve.

I really do not want to argue with folks on here. It does not help. I would just prefer to talk about wine now and then. If you do not want to talk about wine and prefer making silly quips, that’s on you. It says a lot more about you than it does other people who engage in wine talk.

[Jim_Brennan]

Sorry Jeff. You are correct.

As I revised, I don’t read that place anymore.

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

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[ToddFrench]

@Bill Tex Landreth

@Jeff Leve

I really do not want to argue with folks on here. It does not help. I would just prefer to talk about wine now and then. If you do not want to talk about wine and prefer making silly quips, that’s on you. It says a lot more about you than it does other people who engage in wine talk.

Jeff, you only participate here when I go trolling for you after you make some ridiculous statement.

Post a tasting note, comment on a random thread that I am not a part of or throw up some food porn. Else, your words are hollow here.

So it’s only about you, Bill?

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

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