Mannequin California Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay (for a change). Bright gold with green gold highlights. Nose is a bit shy, but the palate is a caramel peach explosion! Very big body (15.2% abv) that's only slightly mitigated by medium minus acidity. Finish is moderately long and continues the palate. To be honest, the only thing wrong with this is the far too high alcohol. I get that it's a "house" signature, but in this case it kills what would otherwise be a really nice New World Chardonnay. Decant for a long time before drinking and use a bit in a cream sauce. Drink now.

The label says #Chardonnay and tasting it, it totally gave me #Sauvignonblanc aromas in the nose and a sweet finish that, when you think about it, makes perfect sense because this has some #muscat in it. These bizarre marketing inventions bore and tire me. With all of the amazing Chardonnay in California...why do this blend and this heavy ass bottle? Lame.

A blend of (changes each vintage) mostly Chard, with Sauv Blanc and Muscat, aged in 35% new French oak for 8 mos. Grapes sourced from some new AVA’s this year, Sonoma Coast, RRV, Santa Lucia Highlands & Atlas Peak AVA’s. Pale lemon with aromas of stone & citrus fruits with complex floral spice. The palate shows flavors of peach and apple with hints of sweet lemon, vanilla and wet stone. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and a long finish ending with pepper & mineral. Nice!

Very strong, too much floral for me. Not a fan... 🙁

A blend of (changes each vintage) mostly Chard, with Sauv Blanc and Muscat, aged in 35% new French oak for 8 mos. Grapes sourced from some new AVA’s this year, Sonoma Coast, RRV, Santa Lucia Highlands & Atlas Peak AVA’s. Pale lemon with aromas of stone & citrus fruits with complex floral spice. The palate shows flavors of peach and apple with hints of sweet lemon, vanilla and wet stone. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and a long finish ending with pepper and mineral.

This one’s dialed up to 11. I don’t like my chards at 11.

Got my hands on a ‘14, excited b/c the blend changes each vintage; 79% Chardonnay, 8% Viognier, 5% Grenache Blanc, 5% Marsanne, 2% Muscat, and 1% Roussanne aged in 40% new French oak for 9 mos. Bright straw, aromas of stone & tropical fruits with floral spice. The palate shows flavors of white peach, melon and apple with hints of lemon zest and honeysuckle. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and a long finish ending with a mineral edge.

Big n buttery! Just like I like my popcorn.😝😝😝

The wine, a blend of (changes each vintage) 90.6% Chardonnay, 5.8% Sauvignon Blanc and 3.6% Muscat, aged in 40% new French oak for 9 mos. Grapes mostly sourced from Sonoma Coast & Atlas Peak AVA’s. Bright straw, aromas of stone & tropical fruits with floral spice. The palate shows flavors of peach, melon and apple with hints of sweet lemon and wet stone. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and a long finish ending with burst of minerality. Nice alternative to 100% CA Chard.

Surprised with how much I love the nose. Brandy soaked pears, toasted marshmallow, and loads of pineapple. Palate a bit viscous and oily, & the finish doesn't quite stick the landing, but elevates with lemon butter and whitefish.