2005 Pride Mountain Chardonnay Vintner's Select Mountaintop Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Pale yellow-gold. Aromas of peach, apricot and nuts. Sweet and lush, with Meursault-like flavors of apricot and roasted grain. A full-blown, rather velvety style with a chewy finish featuring a firm edge of minerals and acidity and some alcoholic warmth. This is actually 15.5% alcohol, according to winemaker Bob Foley, but was not acidified. In fact, this is from a Meursault clone planted on a mountaintop vineyard at 2,000 feet.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A wine I rarely see, but which can be outstanding, is Pride Mountain’s Chardonnay Vintner’s Select Mountaintop Vineyard. Made from a one-acre parcel and put through full malolactic, the 2005 exhibits plenty of minerality in its lemon oil, orange blossom, apple skin, and brioche-filled perfume and flavors. Medium to full-bodied with excellent acidity as well as impressive depth, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 3-4 years. Previously recommended: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (96+), 2002 Reserve Claret (97+). Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039