Davis Estates
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
I have a thing for Davis Estates Chardonnay. It’s the quality & the $36 price point that does it. We like it even better with Jasper Hill Farms Harbison soft white cheese. We never seem to tire of it.
This is a Chardonnay that you want to enjoy at a temperature slightly cooler than standard room temperature. 60-64 degrees.
The nose shows reveals; honeysuckle, green & golden apple, slightly sour lemons, overripe pineapple, lime zest, underripe green melon, marmalade, honeycomb, vanilla, overripe stone fruit, melted, brown butter, gentle white spice & chalky volcanic minerals, just a whiff of eucalyptus, salted & melted caramel, limestone, almond skin, hints of the good parts of Lemon Pledge, with candied, yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine & mixed floral greens.
The body is full, waxy, touch gluey with nice viscosity. Beautiful mouthfeel & texture. Honeysuckle, green & golden apple, slightly sour lemons, overripe pineapple, lime zest to candy, apple Jolly Rancher, underripe green melon, marmalade, honeycomb, overripe stone fruit, melted, brown butter, vanilla, gentle white spice & chalky volcanic minerals, touch of the good parts of Lemon Pledge, just a whiff of eucalyptus, salted & melted caramel, limestone, almond skin, fresh Provence herbs, gentle application of oak giving it soft barrel shavings, with candied, yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine & mixed floral greens. Big phat, round, beautiful acidity. The long, full, round, lush, waxy, well balanced & polished finish glides gently and long sets with mid intensity spice & minerality on the long set.
Photos of; their tasting room with kitchen in the back, signage as you come up the driveway with either barn or guest house behind it, Harbison cheese and the Estate as view from their terrace balcony.
I have a thing for Davis Estates Chardonnay. It’s the quality & the $36 price point that does it. We like it even better with Jasper Hill Farms Harbison soft white cheese. We never seem to tire of it.
This is a Chardonnay that you want to enjoy at a temperature slightly cooler than standard room temperature. 60-64 degrees.
The nose shows reveals; honeysuckle, green & golden apple, slightly sour lemons, overripe pineapple, lime zest, underripe green melon, marmalade, honeycomb, vanilla, overripe stone fruit, melted, brown butter, gentle white spice & chalky volcanic minerals, just a whiff of eucalyptus, salted & melted caramel, limestone, almond skin, hints of the good parts of Lemon Pledge, with candied, yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine & mixed floral greens.
The body is full, waxy, touch gluey with nice viscosity. Beautiful mouthfeel & texture. Honeysuckle, green & golden apple, slightly sour lemons, overripe pineapple, lime zest to candy, apple Jolly Rancher, underripe green melon, marmalade, honeycomb, overripe stone fruit, melted, brown butter, vanilla, gentle white spice & chalky volcanic minerals, touch of the good parts of Lemon Pledge, just a whiff of eucalyptus, salted & melted caramel, limestone, almond skin, fresh Provence herbs, gentle application of oak giving it soft barrel shavings, with candied, yellow lilies/flowers, jasmine & mixed floral greens. Big phat, round, beautiful acidity. The long, full, round, lush, waxy, well balanced & polished finish glides gently and long sets with mid intensity spice & minerality on the long set.
Photos of; their tasting room with kitchen in the back, signage as you come up the driveway with either barn or guest house behind it, Harbison cheese and the Estate as view from their terrace balcony.
Previous notes apply. Rock solid on its own and with soft white cheeses. One of the best CA Chardonnay’s & values.
Come on 9ers. Cheers! 🍾🥂
Previous notes apply. Rock solid on its own and with soft white cheeses. One of the best CA Chardonnay’s & values.
Come on 9ers. Cheers! 🍾🥂
Monthly 4th Friday is post Thanksgiving this year, so lots of Thanksgiving style wines!
There is definitely a sweetened lemon cream note on the nose, which turns more honeyed cashew, honeycomb, honeysuckle and wax. Tart tropical fruit on the palate with a hint of granite/limestone and guava as well as lemon. My first introduction to this producer courtesy of @David T and based on price, around $40, this is a wonderful QPR Chardonnay. Will definitely seek this out.
Monthly 4th Friday is post Thanksgiving this year, so lots of Thanksgiving style wines!
There is definitely a sweetened lemon cream note on the nose, which turns more honeyed cashew, honeycomb, honeysuckle and wax. Tart tropical fruit on the palate with a hint of granite/limestone and guava as well as lemon. My first introduction to this producer courtesy of @David T and based on price, around $40, this is a wonderful QPR Chardonnay. Will definitely seek this out.
Combination after wedding party combined with two early Birthdays. Love this Chardonnay. Love it even more for its value. Happy Birthday Julie & Sofia. See previous notes.
@AZ Oasis
Combination after wedding party combined with two early Birthdays. Love this Chardonnay. Love it even more for its value. Happy Birthday Julie & Sofia. See previous notes.
@AZ Oasis
Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.
Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.
Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.
Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.
Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.
Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.
Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
For the most part, I prefer White Burgundy over California Chardonnay. It’s just a palate preference. However, there are good California Chardonnays that I enjoy and this is one of them. I enjoy it because it reminds me of one pricey Chardonnay that I also like but, this is a third of the price at $36, member price. The producer it reminds me of Aubert. Specifically, “Sugar Shack.”
The nose reveals, bright, green & golden apple, juicy ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, lime candy, green melon, butter, cream, soft chalkiness, some saline, Jasmine, white lilies with Israeli Ruscus.
The body is full, round and beautiful. The palate juicy. Texture is thick and creamy. Green & golden apple, juicy ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, lime candy, green melon, honey notes, butter, cream, soft chalkiness, hint of fresh herbs, slightly gritty volcanic minerals, some saline, Jasmine, white lilies with Israeli Ruscus. Soft wood use. The acidity is round and beautiful. The well polished, rich, finish lasts minutes.
Photos of, the side view off the back of their terrace patio, the halls of their cellar, rotating ball waterfall and the entrance into their Phase V Cellars...another wine they produce.
For the most part, I prefer White Burgundy over California Chardonnay. It’s just a palate preference. However, there are good California Chardonnays that I enjoy and this is one of them. I enjoy it because it reminds me of one pricey Chardonnay that I also like but, this is a third of the price at $36, member price. The producer it reminds me of Aubert. Specifically, “Sugar Shack.”
The nose reveals, bright, green & golden apple, juicy ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, lime candy, green melon, butter, cream, soft chalkiness, some saline, Jasmine, white lilies with Israeli Ruscus.
The body is full, round and beautiful. The palate juicy. Texture is thick and creamy. Green & golden apple, juicy ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, lime candy, green melon, honey notes, butter, cream, soft chalkiness, hint of fresh herbs, slightly gritty volcanic minerals, some saline, Jasmine, white lilies with Israeli Ruscus. Soft wood use. The acidity is round and beautiful. The well polished, rich, finish lasts minutes.
Photos of, the side view off the back of their terrace patio, the halls of their cellar, rotating ball waterfall and the entrance into their Phase V Cellars...another wine they produce.
