Byron

Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

8.932 ratings
9.010 pro ratings
El Puerto de Santa María, Jerez, Andalucía, Spain
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
Amy Rehagen

Deep golden color with a papaya nose and oxidative notes. Medium plus body with a sweet, cling peaches flavor, lime zest, and a hint of nutmeg.

Deep golden color with a papaya nose and oxidative notes. Medium plus body with a sweet, cling peaches flavor, lime zest, and a hint of nutmeg.

May 5th, 2022
Sommelara

Great California Chardonnay. Very well balance, and It took me to a floating cloud of delicious flavors of citrus and oak flavors.

Great California Chardonnay. Very well balance, and It took me to a floating cloud of delicious flavors of citrus and oak flavors.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 9th, 2015
Lori Mike

Pours Tuscan sun in color. ON THE NOSE: butter, butterscotch, golden delicious apple. ON THE PALATE: butterscotch, vanilla, butter, ripe apple. Medium body short finish. Not quite enough acid to carry the finish.

Pours Tuscan sun in color. ON THE NOSE: butter, butterscotch, golden delicious apple. ON THE PALATE: butterscotch, vanilla, butter, ripe apple. Medium body short finish. Not quite enough acid to carry the finish.

Aug 11th, 2016
Mike Sinor

This wine still tastes of home for me.... One of best in Ca and the world!

This wine still tastes of home for me.... One of best in Ca and the world!

Jun 27th, 2015
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.7

The oldest vineyard in Southern California stays in oak for 16 months very intense and concentrated on the tongue creme flan very rich and with a firm hand of acidity. Most excellent

The oldest vineyard in Southern California stays in oak for 16 months very intense and concentrated on the tongue creme flan very rich and with a firm hand of acidity. Most excellent

Jan 28th, 2015
Mark Geylikman

Rich and oppulent but with underlying freshness as well made chardonnays from this part of California so often possess. 59% new oak is more than what I usually like, but this is a well crafted wine and the oak was integrated just right. Excited to try another bottle.

Rich and oppulent but with underlying freshness as well made chardonnays from this part of California so often possess. 59% new oak is more than what I usually like, but this is a well crafted wine and the oak was integrated just right. Excited to try another bottle.

Jan 4th, 2020
Todd Stone

Not great- seems to start sweet and then dry out. Green apple with a touch of butter. High in alcohol?

Not great- seems to start sweet and then dry out. Green apple with a touch of butter. High in alcohol?

Aug 17th, 2019
Tim
9.0

Very nice not too oaky Chardonnay.

Very nice not too oaky Chardonnay.

Nov 28th, 2016
Kelly “KG” Ruíz

Mellow Chardonnay, paired well with prosciutto wrapped melon... A nice drinking chard served cool just above room temperature

Mellow Chardonnay, paired well with prosciutto wrapped melon... A nice drinking chard served cool just above room temperature

Jul 9th, 2016
Paul Luminaux

Santa maria valley. Apricot and fig forward. Some oak.

Santa maria valley. Apricot and fig forward. Some oak.

Apr 23rd, 2016