Varner, Spring Ridge Vineyard Home Block Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

Had not tried a bottle in over 4 years and looking back at my notes there has not been a change. White fruit on the nose, the palate was pear, melon, citrus and a touch of oak keeping it in balance. A nice vibrant finish.

2009 vintage

Man. Smells sherries out not good.

2009 vintage

Lots of life left. Enjoyed by all.

2009 vintage

Light gold color. Apple and pear on the nose. Mouth-filling fruit and quite lively acids on the palate with a moderate length finish. A nice wine, but IMHO, not worth the $40+ price.

2009 vintage

In prime form versus my 2014 tasting. The creme brûlée butterscotch notes are super unique and delicious. Backed up with minerality and citrus. Oak is in check. Fantastic wine and probably my favorite Cali chard.

2009 vintage

Ninth time I've had the pleasure of tasting this wine. See my notes of 12/24/2014. Good stuff.

2009 vintage

See my notes of 12/24/15.

2009 vintage

Excellent chard for the $! Unmistakably California, but without the overwhelming oak influence, uber buttery texture, or noticeably high alc. Improved hours after being opened. Paired with shrimp ceviche. 2nd enjoyable bottle.

2009 vintage

My first experience with Varner, it is a really excellent chardonnay, definitely my style. Not too much oak, not too buttery, the right balance of oak, mineral, pear, and a hint of citrus. An elongated finish. Served with Seared Scallops in an orange sauce.

2009 vintage

Ditto my notes of 12/24/2015.

2009 vintage

The 6th time tasting this wine. Quite similar to my last tasting: "initial impressions of toasty oak and smoke on the nose. As the wine warms from cellar temperature, there are aromas of lemon, baked pear, hints of orange, creme brulee, smoke and toasty oak. Similar flavors." Creamy, rich and buttery in the mouth. A long and succulent finish. Varner is one of my Chardonnay favorites!

2009 vintage

This had an oddly minimal nose. Less than other Varners I have tried. Although the fruit was not as prominent, there was a nice balance of oak and minerality, and a complex flavor profile. Varner makes a style of wine that I really enjoy. Medium weight, lots of complexity without dominating oak. Very good with fish baked in pesto.

2009 vintage

Initial impressions of toasty oak and smoke on the nose. As the wine warms from cellar temperature, there are aromas of lemon, baked pear, hints of orange, creme brulee, smoke and toasty oak. Similar flavors. Buttery, rich and succulent in the mouth. Good structure; nice balance. A long almost citrus-like finish. Good pairing with fresh Coho Salmon.

2009 vintage

Just about identical to my evaluation on 1-6-2014: "a light golden color. Almost Burgundian on the nose, with minerals and well integrated French oak, from seemingly mildly toasted barrels. Wonderful aromas of creme brulee, lemon, baked pear, a little mango. Highly complex. Creamy, rich and buttery in the mouth; a very nice texture. Same flavors on the palate, as on the nose. ... The finish is long, with citrus-like nuances."

2009 vintage

Ditto my remark of 1/6/2014. 1/6/2014 rated 93 points: It's been about 18 months since last tasting this wine. Other than it seems a little more mature, it's quite similar to my last evaluation: "a light golden color. Almost Burgundian on the nose, with minerals and well integrated French oak, from seemingly mildly toasted barrels. Wonderful aromas of creme brulee, lemon, baked pear, a little mango. Highly complex. Creamy, rich and buttery in the mouth; a very nice texture. Same …

2009 vintage

1 hour decant. Still wound tight. Very unusual ashy smell on the nose. Good fruit purity, but needs a few more years.

2009 vintage

It's been about 18 months since last tasting this wine. Other than it seems a little more mature, it's quite similar to my last evaluation: "a light golden color. Almost Burgundian on the nose, with minerals and well integrated French oak, from seemingly mildly toasted barrels. Wonderful aromas of creme brulee, lemon, baked pear, a little mango. Highly complex. Creamy, rich and buttery in the mouth; a very nice texture. Same flavors on the palate, as on the nose. ... …

2009 vintage

Smoky, wonderful, unusual chard. One of my favs and if u like smoke, this is the one

2009 vintage

Nate says shut down but I think its tasty and delicious stuff. With weight and texture, barely opened up though. Needs more time! We shall see how it comes around. Ok, opened this bad boy around 10 am and by 9 pm it was utterly smokin'. Yep, I am serious, nearly 12 hours later it had finally come around and found itself. So I would say give it many more years before approaching again!

2009 vintage

Delicious hints of pineapple but crisp and refreshing

2009 vintage

This has really come to a special place. Beautiful SCM fruit almost heading towards reductive but in a really well made way. And still very tight on the back end. I assume this means its going to go a long way.

2009 vintage

This has matured from my last bottle. Notes of carmel, butterscotch, vanilla and faint popcorn on the nose. In the mouth, large scaled, a touch of spice and just enough acidity to keep it honest. Delicious!

2009 vintage

This was more subtle and nuanced than the other Varner's of this vintage. Perfect balance, enjoyable, and paired great with a variety of the foods served.

2009 vintage

The wine looks Yellow colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like and Honeysuckle. It tastes like and Papaya. The body is Medium. The wine has Polished texture. The wine finishes Medium.

2009 vintage

The wine looks Yellow gold colored. The legs are Medium. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Medium.

2009 vintage

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Varner, Spring Ridge Vineyard Home Block Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

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