Newton

Skyside Sonoma County Chardonnay

8.825 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
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
Sipping Fine Wine

Had another bottle. Founded in 1977 by English businessman Peter Newton and his Chinese wife Su Hua. Newton was already a pioneer of winemaking in Napa, having founded the Sterling Winery in the 1960s. Clear golden color with aromas of stone fruits and sweet spice notes. The palate shows basic stone fruits of peach and apple with some honey and a bit of oak. Crisp, good balance, medium finish, slight mineral and oaky on the soft ending. Good value.

Had another bottle. Founded in 1977 by English businessman Peter Newton and his Chinese wife Su Hua. Newton was already a pioneer of winemaking in Napa, having founded the Sterling Winery in the 1960s. Clear golden color with aromas of stone fruits and sweet spice notes. The palate shows basic stone fruits of peach and apple with some honey and a bit of oak. Crisp, good balance, medium finish, slight mineral and oaky on the soft ending. Good value.

Feb 20th, 2019
Sipping Fine Wine

Founded in 1977 by English businessman Peter Newton and his Chinese wife Su Hua. Newton was already a pioneer of winemaking in Napa, having founded the Sterling Winery in the 1960s. Clear light golden color with aromas of stone fruits and sweet notes. The palate shows basic stone fruits of peach and apple with a touch of honey and oak. Crisp, good balance, medium finish, slight mineral and oaky on the soft ending. Good value.

Founded in 1977 by English businessman Peter Newton and his Chinese wife Su Hua. Newton was already a pioneer of winemaking in Napa, having founded the Sterling Winery in the 1960s. Clear light golden color with aromas of stone fruits and sweet notes. The palate shows basic stone fruits of peach and apple with a touch of honey and oak. Crisp, good balance, medium finish, slight mineral and oaky on the soft ending. Good value.

Apr 29th, 2018
Isaac Pirolo

Newton was acquired by LVMH in 2001, but from 1983 to 1996 John Kongsgaard served as winemaker. A brief anecdote would not do Kongsgaard justice as to the depth and breadth of his influence throughout Napa and California (read Jon Bonné’s “How John Kongsgaard rewrote the rules of white wine” from the San Francisco Chronicle). His influence at Newton is still evident today, even in their most basic offering... And, yes, the discount was almost criminal. No malo, and Burgundy inspired, sautéed lemon peel, lychee, peach, apple, pear, apricot, and finishes with a toasty nut and waxy, almost lipstick flavor, stopping just short with a mix of straw, chalk, and petrol. This is a Chardonnay that wears mostly LL Bean, but whose shoes are always shined.

Newton was acquired by LVMH in 2001, but from 1983 to 1996 John Kongsgaard served as winemaker. A brief anecdote would not do Kongsgaard justice as to the depth and breadth of his influence throughout Napa and California (read Jon Bonné’s “How John Kongsgaard rewrote the rules of white wine” from the San Francisco Chronicle). His influence at Newton is still evident today, even in their most basic offering... And, yes, the discount was almost criminal. No malo, and Burgundy inspired, sautéed lemon peel, lychee, peach, apple, pear, apricot, and finishes with a toasty nut and waxy, almost lipstick flavor, stopping just short with a mix of straw, chalk, and petrol. This is a Chardonnay that wears mostly LL Bean, but whose shoes are always shined.

Jan 4th, 2018
Joe Gillies

Crisp apple aromas. Apple, pear, and lightly oaked. A good effort for their entry level chardonnay.

Crisp apple aromas. Apple, pear, and lightly oaked. A good effort for their entry level chardonnay.

Jun 27th, 2021
Bruce Gunther

Notes of vanilla and some oakiness. A bit bitter at first, but then smooths out a bit.

Notes of vanilla and some oakiness. A bit bitter at first, but then smooths out a bit.

Aug 10th, 2020
Bruce Moffat

Nice mouthfeel with initial CA Chardonnay butteriness. Finish is more minerally, with faint oakiness.

Nice mouthfeel with initial CA Chardonnay butteriness. Finish is more minerally, with faint oakiness.

Jul 13th, 2019
Simon Watson

Cheap and tart. Living off good branding.

Cheap and tart. Living off good branding.

Mar 2nd, 2019
Catherine Comeno

Buttery golden color and hint of vanilla after taste. Apple and pear notes throughout. Would definitely buy this again.

Buttery golden color and hint of vanilla after taste. Apple and pear notes throughout. Would definitely buy this again.

Jan 13th, 2019
ESF
8.4

Meh - guess I expected more from Newton, this lacked coherence: didn’t know if this wanted to be Old or New World - lacked concentration & focus, some mineral, musk, wax & lanolin (almost SB-like) but then some apple. Slightest trace of oak but didn’t get big Malo hit. Decent acidity but just wasn’t working for us.

Meh - guess I expected more from Newton, this lacked coherence: didn’t know if this wanted to be Old or New World - lacked concentration & focus, some mineral, musk, wax & lanolin (almost SB-like) but then some apple. Slightest trace of oak but didn’t get big Malo hit. Decent acidity but just wasn’t working for us.

Nov 6th, 2018
Ross Saunders

All the right things in a Chardonnay

All the right things in a Chardonnay

Jul 1st, 2018