Awards & Accolades
Chardonnay lovers will likely swoon over the price nearly as much as they do the wine. Davis Bynum’s 2013 Chardonnay comes in under $30 a bottle and delivers tremendous bang for the buck with a vintage that is both rich and elegant, showing a beautiful layer of lemon crème with mouth-watering acidity and a touch of woodsmoke.
The 2013 Chardonnay River West Vineyard exhibits loads of minerality, a wet stone-like component, honeyed lemon blossom, white peach and assorted citrus. It is medium-bodied, refreshing and seems to me a quintessential Russian River Chardonnay. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
This wine opens with the fresh liveliness of stemmy earth and black tea notes, growing funkier and more herbal on the midpalate. Brightly layered and deeply flavored, it’s a full-bodied rendition that remains true to its variety.
Winemaker Greg Morthole and David Ramey showcase this vineyard site well, a special spot in the heart of the appellation. Rich and spicy, the wine features tastes of black tea, deep dark fruit and zesty minerality, all layered by toasty oak. Full bodied and luxurious, it finds its way to a bright, fresh finish.
…Dijon Clone 777 impressed me more with its deeper fruit, loads of black cherries and spice, earthiness and floral notes. This is a beauty and should drink nicely another 4-5 years.
This sultry, supple wine exudes aromas and flavors of baking spices and dark cherry pie, remaining brooding atop a full-bodied texture. Despite the oaky density, it retains a floral backnote and bright, lengthy finish.
A somewhat Gevrey Chambertin earthiness, forest floor, and autumnal vegetative notes are interwoven with plum, black cherry and spice. It is medium-bodied, round and juicy, with light, soft tannins, and seems to fully mature. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
At once crisp and juicy, this offers pear, kiwi fruit, quince and lemongrass aromas and a palate that offers the same, plus tropical fruit and with a mouth-filling texture that comes from aging in older oak barrels.
Exotic in orange blossom and jasmine scents, this wine presents as full bodied, brawny and rich, showing a touch of oak reduction on the palate. Within that framework, hints of lemon and grapefruit keep it feeling fresh.
“Made in a thick, full-bodied style with wide appeal, this vineyard-designate wine opens with a green olive tone and focused acidity. The mid-palate delivers more richness, effusive in toasted oak, vanilla and crème brûlée.” - V.B.
“Cream and open-textured, with broad flavors of cherry tart, Christmas pudding and allspice that are supple and well-knit. The toasty finish shows cocoa powder accents. Drink now through 2024.” - K.M.
From the Dutton Lorenzo Vineyard near Forestville, and the inaugural vintage at that, this impresses in earthy funk and rich, lively red and black cherry. Smooth, supple tannins support a full-bodied ripeness and weight that will appeal to fans of a bigger style of Pinot.” - V.B.
Lemon sherbet, mandarin orange, and yellow apple flavors are juicy and generous, showing details of green tea on the long finish. Drink now.
