Balverne

Forever Wild Russian River Valley Chardonnay

9.03 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
"Odedi"

Pale lemon in color with a golden hue.

Strong nose of citrus, apples, spices and light minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with yellow apples, melons, lemons, pears, light wood, vanilla, light earth, spices and herbs.

Nice length on the finish with limes and light marzipan.

This is a very tasty Chardonnay from Russian River valley. Spicy,
creamy and entertaining. Fruit forward and elegant. Tangy and interesting.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and so far the 2019 was my favorite.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. A good quality wine, and good by itself or with food.

100% Chardonnay grapes where aged in (20% new) French Oak barrels for 8 months. A small production of less than 3,000 bottles.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35.

Pale lemon in color with a golden hue.

Strong nose of citrus, apples, spices and light minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with yellow apples, melons, lemons, pears, light wood, vanilla, light earth, spices and herbs.

Nice length on the finish with limes and light marzipan.

This is a very tasty Chardonnay from Russian River valley. Spicy,
creamy and entertaining. Fruit forward and elegant. Tangy and interesting.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and so far the 2019 was my favorite.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. A good quality wine, and good by itself or with food.

100% Chardonnay grapes where aged in (20% new) French Oak barrels for 8 months. A small production of less than 3,000 bottles.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35.

Jul 9th, 2025
"Odedi"

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Oaky nose with citrus, peaches, vanilla, cedar, yellow apples, pears, light tropical fruits and spices.

Full bodied, creamy and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with oak, vanilla, spices, citrus, pears, light grapefruits, apples and black pepper.

Spicy finish with black pepper and limes.

This is an enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Oaky and buttery with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing mild complexity at this point, and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and rich.

After 30 minutes of airtime, it really calms down. Worth the wait.

I've had the 2019 not too long ago, and liked it so much better. Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

Pleasant, tangy and easy drinking. Good for parties, or just to sip on by the pool.

100% Chardonnay grapes from Russian River Valley were aged in French Oak barrels for 5 months (20% new Oak). A small production of only 3,000 bottles.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35.

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Oaky nose with citrus, peaches, vanilla, cedar, yellow apples, pears, light tropical fruits and spices.

Full bodied, creamy and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with oak, vanilla, spices, citrus, pears, light grapefruits, apples and black pepper.

Spicy finish with black pepper and limes.

This is an enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Oaky and buttery with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing mild complexity at this point, and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and rich.

After 30 minutes of airtime, it really calms down. Worth the wait.

I've had the 2019 not too long ago, and liked it so much better. Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

Pleasant, tangy and easy drinking. Good for parties, or just to sip on by the pool.

100% Chardonnay grapes from Russian River Valley were aged in French Oak barrels for 5 months (20% new Oak). A small production of only 3,000 bottles.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35.

Mar 8th, 2023
"Odedi"

Notre Vue Estate Winery Balverne Russian River Valley Forever Wild Chardonnay 2019, California

Pale lemon in color with a green/ golden hue.

Nice nose of lemons, cedar, vanilla, toast, limes, grapefruits, honeysuckle, apples, honeydew, earth, minerals, sea salt and light river rocks.

Full bodied, buttery and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with citrus, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, oak, vanilla, peppercorn, wet leaves and earth.

Nice tangy finish with almonds.

This is a very enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Elegant, fruity and interesting.

Loved the nose here. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime (20 minutes).

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses, crackers and olives.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged for 5 months in French Oak barrels (20% new).

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.

Notre Vue Estate Winery Balverne Russian River Valley Forever Wild Chardonnay 2019, California

Pale lemon in color with a green/ golden hue.

Nice nose of lemons, cedar, vanilla, toast, limes, grapefruits, honeysuckle, apples, honeydew, earth, minerals, sea salt and light river rocks.

Full bodied, buttery and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with citrus, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, oak, vanilla, peppercorn, wet leaves and earth.

Nice tangy finish with almonds.

This is a very enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Elegant, fruity and interesting.

Loved the nose here. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime (20 minutes).

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses, crackers and olives.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged for 5 months in French Oak barrels (20% new).

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.

Jun 15th, 2021