dwines@glacier (David Wilkins) (02/28/86)
Results of tastings: 80 Chardonnays 26 February 1986 Lowest score is best, last columns show division of votes. Each wine was ranked as being first through eighth by 13 tasters. This was a tasting organized by Ross Bott and included many experienced tasters. All wines 1980 vintage (11th round tasting in 80 Chardonnay tourney.) Points Wine Ident First Second Third Last 33 Chalone (Pinnacles) B 3 5 3 0 35 Madrona (El Dorado) H 3 3 3 0 40 Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo) F 5 1 2 0 61 Mayacamus (Napa) A 2 1 1 2 66 Acacia California D 0 0 2 2 67 Santa Ynez Valley Winery G 0 2 1 0 76 Congress Springs Pin.Bl St. Char C 0 0 1 0 96 Walker Wines (Solano) E 0 0 0 9 Summary of Results and my personal tasting notes: I agreed with the group, except that I thought the Congress Springs Pinot Blanc was better than some of the over the hill, bizzare chardonnays here. Three of these wines are good evidence for the French opinion that the fat, fruity California wines do not always age well, and that they can be overbearing and intrusive. The Chalone clearly outclassed the other wines here and was easily identified. A wonderful, complex nose with toast, oak, and fruit. The same in the mouth with great balance and structure. One of the best of 1980 and should age well. The Madrona was clearly better than the rest. The nose was rich, soft with vanillin oak, but not as interesting as the Chalone. It was very nice in the mouth, good balance, oaky, fruit, peaches, butter, mouthfilling, long finish. I picked the pinot blanc third because it had better balance than the others, though it lacked the inherent interest that chardonnay grapes have. The nose was light and oaky with good fruit. In the mouth, lean and tight with good balance and fruit, and a good finish. This wine is ageing well and would be readily accepted in France. I also thought the Mayacamus and Edna Valley were good, if not excellent. The Mayacamus had a long nose that was flowery with a hint of dill. In the mouth, spicy fruit, good balance and finish, not terribly exciting. The Edna Valley had a full nose of oak and green apples. Similar in the mouth. The other three made me long for a white burgundy. The Santa Ynez was still enjoyable, though overpowering and inelegant. The nose was interesting, sweet and flowery. Full and fruity in the mouth, with oak, a candy finish, and enough flavor to overpower any dish bordering on subtle. Past its prime. The Acacia and Walker were both over the hill, though the Walker clearly is much closer to the bottom. The Acacia had an interesting if strange nose. Fruity, long, lemon, cloves, ginger. Very dark in color. In the mouth, it had some fruit with a hint of cloves but was flat, lacking acid, and seemed a bit odd. The Walker had a rich nose of apples and mangoes, but you had to spit it out once it hit your tongue. Oily, glycerine feel with no acid, body or middle. Watered down wine with a slightly astringent finish. Pre wine: 81 Tulocay Pinot Noir $10/7.25 pretty nose, good if not super interesting. -------