2013 Rally Point Wines Limited Production Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., 168 cases, $38. Released May 2015. Native fermentation with primary lasting 1-2 months in French oak barrels and a temperature-controlled concrete egg. Aged on the lees, then racked into a tank for another three months for clarification. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Winemaker Tim Burgess says that this is a “Chardonnay for people who don’t like Chardonnay,” and he has that right. This is not an opulently fruited and oaked style of wine that we have come to associate with a number of Russian River Valley Chardonnay offerings. Light golden yellow color in the glass. The nose offers an interesting mix of leesy, nutty aromas dancing with subtle fruit notes of green apple. Bright and clean on the palate, with flavors of lemon-lime, green apple, peach and subtle nutty oak, and offering a pleasing suavity of texture, this wine has consummate balance and drinkability. Highly food friendly, this is a Chardonnay that doesn’t tire your palate, but rather entices more over time in the glass. My wife is somewhat of a Chardonnay connoisseur and she loved this wine. Score: 92. Reviewed September 18, 2015

Winery: Rally Point Wines
From article: Small Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay