Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had this about 6 months ago, got better with a little age. The Prisoner Wine Company’s eponymous first wine was inspired by the drinkable “mixed blacks” made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. Fruit from vineyards in warm Oak Knoll and cool-climate Carneros with just a touch of Roussanne. Pleasant aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. Fresh flavors of peach, apple and lemon zest, well balanced, vivid acidity with nice mouthfeel. Lingering finish ending with mineral notes. Nice! — 7 days ago

Alex Hughes

9.3

A very refined wine with layers of stone and tropical fruit carried in a rich creamy texture. Got lots of banana, pineapple and brûlée. It’s a luxurious chardonnay on the palate. Almost has the texture of a viognier. Oak is surprisingly subtle and very well integrated for being in barrel 2 years. A tad too luxurious. — 7 days ago

Robert Rothfield

9.3

Floral nose, well delineated and precise with peach and mineral notes....long finish — 16 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Clear golden straw color. Aromas of white flowers, lemon zest and oak. Citrus flavors really come through, subtle oak finish. — 3 days ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.6

3L Chardonnay. Drinking like a champ. The new Mayacamas downtown tasting lounge in Napa is officially open. They are splashing around some vintage tastes for a very happy crowd tonight. — 19 days ago

with Mark

Jayna Fontenot

9.2

Decent legs, 6/10. Smells like honeysuckle and citrus. A good example of a California Chardonnay. A small bite, and finish isn't very long lasting. Well balanced and lightly buttery. Good! — 5 days ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Agreed this is not remarkable like other vintages, though certainly a nice bottle of chard. Ripeness meets acid, flint and salinity. — 5 days ago

Chip Hughes

9.3

Cellar temp really lets this shine. Acacia, stone fruits. Very old school Napa Chardonnay: 12.2% abv, no new oak, no heat. Balanced and refined, but not emaciated in the way that some dialed-back CA wines can be. First rate. — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Another killer Wednesday Wine Committee lineup. As always, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

I called this Napa chardonnay. Oak driven on the nose with a lot of savory notes...sea salt, popcorn kernel roasted lemon. Very waxy on the palate, which resembled a CdP Blanc along with low acidity. I’d drink up, but certainly not over the hill. — 22 days ago

with Will, Ryan and 1 other

Daniel Taub

9.4

@Benoit Touquette kudos and thanks — 12 days ago