Sonoma-Cutrer, Chardonnay Cutrer, Russian River Valley

S-C can make some very good inexpensive CA chards! The reason I like this first of all is because it does NOT have to overpowering malolactic fermenting that some of S-C's wine have (Russian River). This wine has aromas and flavors of lemon, vanilla and oak (thus the blond color - almost straw). This wine is more mellow and smooth drinking (lower malolactic processing) with just the right amount of oak coming through. There is more life in this bottle …

This is super good. Had it with a sandwich with leftover veal. Yummy elegant bodied chardonnay. Good length. Actually will get much better with two more years in cellar. God I love the Sonoma Cutrer twist-tops!! Most wineries should go to it.

A lovely Chard, but needs 30 minutes to open and show it's stuff. When it does, you get crisp Chard flavors perfectly in balance. Liked it a lot, especially the screw cap, but not the price.

W a paneer dish in Jackson. Yummy and consistent with previous experience, very elegant.

Went to Smart & Final of all places.. the “Cutrer” was discounted from $35 to $17.99…. Hmmm… what a deal…. Well NOT so much. This is similar to the same characteristic as their regular bottling with this being a Russian River Appelation. Not close to the SC bottlings I revered early in my career… to the point I don’t recognize It. Fruit if Any.. maybe caramelized pear is muddled with course tight grain toasted Oak with again a watery non …

Lemons, lemon blossom, and a wisp of vanilla carry the nose. Fresh, tactile, energetic, excellent balance, with pear and green apple flavors that are accentuated by lemony persistence.

W steelhead trout in Jackson. Same notesas a month before. Great elegance and balance.

W arctic char first ight back at 540. Yippie. Super elegant wine. Yes it is not very big but is is super balanced and becaus of its elegance very attractive. We love the rebuilt house. It is a new experience.

Not as good as I remember last year’s to be. Definitely more oak influence. Fairly creamy mouthfeel with a bit of the buttery flavor that I don’t really care for. Feels like the fruit gets a bit lost in this vintage. But it will definitely appeal to many people.