Plumpjack NAPA Valley
2009 Chardonnay Reserve, $39.09-$49.99, 92 points, is nearly everything an excellent California Chardonnay should be: balanced with subtle oaky vanilla, quaffable and creamy, but very refreshing (Not heavy) pear-pineapple, and hints of quince; there is the gentle aroma dominated by pineapple, the color of transparent gold, and the long finish with noticeable ginger that works so good together.
We liked this wine very much, and though we served the Plumpjack Chardonnay with Lobster-bisque this is a wine for almost any cuisine.
Now I know my neighbors won't like the price (I didn't, even at $39.09), but let's face it, Thanksgiving-Christmas is only once a year; this is not an every-man-everyday bottle of wine. As for me, I don't eat-out more than two or three times a year, and when I do the cost is always more than the price of a bottle of Plumjack, which makes this my treat.
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Copyright 2011 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved
I've never tasted Plumpjack's Chard, but I respect the hell out of the ones I have had, namely the Merlot. Chardonnay isn't my favorite by any stretch, but this one sounds like I might like it. I prefer my Chards unoaked, but if the oak is subtle, I'm good.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this particular wine would be a worthy splurge & a good pairing for Thanksgiving...but now I want lobster bisque, & seeing that it's 9:00 a.m., I don't think I'll get it.
(And really, you only go out to eat 2-3 times a year?? I'm impressed.)
Claire, you don't know anyone more boring than me, but I wouldn't mind sending you the Lobster bisque minus the tail/:-). Send me your address!
ReplyDeleteSend some my way as well, Den. Haven't had one of your excellent bisque dishes in ages.
ReplyDeleteI've put this wine on the top of my list for thanksgiving. I really enjoy the vanilla'y chards and am going to admit the price is not much of a deterrent as I've been eating at home mostly these days as well.