Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

1,156 notes

2013

Alpha Omega Chardonnay

California · Napa Valley

As others have noted, this was a very modern version of an AO Chardonnay. The oak influence is very evident, with sourdough bread, buttered popcorn, and vanilla at the forefront. Some lemon curd and…

Reviewed 5 July 2016
2014

Alpha Omega Unoaked Chardonnay

California · Napa Valley

Very Sauvignon Blanc-like in its flavor profile. A bit of a steely aftertaste. This was a little tough for me after just having such a smooth Sauvignon Blanc ('14 AO 1155 SB) prior to consuming this.…

Reviewed 5 July 2016
2014

Alpha Omega Sauvignon Blanc 1155

Napa Valley · Rutherford

A very inviting Sauvignon Blanc, with a wonderful balance between subtle tropical fruit, lemon oil, a bit of pumice/stone, and an ever-so faint drop of vanilla. This gained the majority of its points…

Reviewed 5 July 2016
2014

Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Dorée

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Bought a half case direct a little while back, so I figured I'd experiment with a bottle to see what all the fuss was about. I was reluctant to even evaluate this wine because it seemed as though Luc…

Reviewed 2 July 2016
2011

Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Similar to last week, except I didn't get that distractingly bitter, steely flavor on the back end as much. Served next to a 2013 Rivers-Marie standard Chardonnay, which bested the Lewis by a fair…

Reviewed 26 June 2016
2013

Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Same as my previous notes from six months ago. Very user-friendly Chardonnay, medium-bodied, with a decent mid-palate and great mouthfeel. Texture/viscosity are very nice considering it's an…

Reviewed 26 June 2016
2013

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

PnP with ready-to-go flavors of lemon, pear, popcorn, vanilla, and a little limestone. More buttery than mineral-driven, but not overdone or over-oaked so that it distracted from the overall fruit…

Reviewed 20 June 2016
2014

Del Dotto Chardonnay Family Reserve Cinghiale Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

A very fine example of the varietal. The difference between this wine and the standard Chardonnay was indeed noticeable. Deeper, richer, and with a pleasant viscosity that coated the palate. Notes of…

Reviewed 18 June 2016
2015

Del Dotto Sauvignon Blanc Caves

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

A nice, refreshing SB. Straightforward and crisp. Some notes of melon, quince, lemon, and some stone.

Reviewed 18 June 2016
2014

Del Dotto Chardonnay Cinghiale Vineyard

Sonoma County · Fort Ross - Seaview

Served fairly chilled (close to refrigerator temperature), which muted the flavors initially. Warmed up a little in the glass to reveal pleasant notes of lemon citrus, pear, wet stone, and faint…

Reviewed 18 June 2016
2011

Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

An ok Chardonnay I suppose??...Not great by any stretch. Oak dominated with an alkaline finish. Lemon oil, buttered popcorn, vanilla extract, steel ball bearings, and river rock.

Reviewed 17 June 2016
2012

Donelan Chardonnay Nancie

California · Sonoma County

PnP at cellar temperature (56 degrees) with notes of lemon, lychee, bitter pear, and stone. Notable balance and good acidity. Thankfully, not overly oaked or buttery in any way.

Reviewed 14 June 2016
2014

Celani Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley

California · Napa Valley

A pleasant Chardonnay, with a nice linear, quasi-Burgundian profile. Soft lemon and poached pear notes, with some steely minerality. A little popcorn on the back end, but nothing overly buttery or…

Reviewed 11 June 2016
2008

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Same as my notes from 3/21/2016. Good to drink now. Great extracted Jura style Chardonnay.

Reviewed 4 June 2016
2013

TOR Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard

California · Napa Valley

PnP with tight lemon and steely, pebbly notes. After some air, a bit of an uptick with additional hints of grass and nuanced minerality.

Reviewed 3 June 2016
2013

Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

PnP with energetic notes of lemon curd, lemon zest, pear, popcorn, sourdough, river rock, and a hint of vanilla and spice. More of a crip, acidic Chardonnay than an over-oaked fruit bomb, with the…

Reviewed 22 May 2016
2013

Mending Wall Stone on Stone

California · Napa Valley

Nice tropical fruit, pineapple, lemon verbena, grass, and some mineral notes. Decent acidity and texture, but dropped off a bit on the mid-palate and finish. Would not be able to differentiate this…

Reviewed 14 May 2016
2014

Mark Herold Wines Albariño Acha Blanca

Central Valley · Lodi

Light, dry, and a little thin. Not undrinkable, and an ok light summer wine I suppose, but totally fell off the map when compared to the Mending Wall Sauvignon Blanc tasted beside it.

Reviewed 14 May 2016
2012

Littorai Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Same as my notes from last week. Had with friends, who thought it was in the 93-94 point range, citing more depth and viscosity than I thought it actually possessed.

Reviewed 14 May 2016
2012

Littorai Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

A decent Chardonnay, but a bit of a linear expression of the Heintz site. This came in first among two other California Chardonnays, including a 2012 Talley Rosemary's Chardonnay and a 2011 Talbott…

Reviewed 7 May 2016
2011

Talbott Chardonnay Cuvée Audrey Diamond T Estate

Central Coast · Monterey

Not a bad Chardonnay, with a bit of age showing nicely. Some reduction and sherry notes, with hazelnut, poached pear, lamp oil, browned butter, and lemon/citrus flavors.

Reviewed 7 May 2016
2012

Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

This was surprisingly softer and less vibrant than other Rivers Marie chardonnays I've had - both in terms of the Thieriot and the Sonoma. I agree with some other comments about this wine seemingly…

Reviewed 18 April 2016
2007

Salinia Chardonnay Saint Marigold

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

As others have noted, a lamp oil viscosity and prominent sherry notes of dried apricot, amber honey, caramelized poached pear, and dried nuts.

Reviewed 17 April 2016