Parallel

Russian River Valley Chardonnay

9.328 ratings
9.39 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
Shay A
9.3

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Fun to try next to the ‘14. Aromatically, they are very similar...creme brûlée, marzipan and honeyed pastries. However, there is quite a bit more acidity here that catches you off guard. There are some similarities here to Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay. Notes of honeysuckle, sea salt and powdered lemon bar on the palate. A bright expression of Ritchie vineyard.

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Fun to try next to the ‘14. Aromatically, they are very similar...creme brûlée, marzipan and honeyed pastries. However, there is quite a bit more acidity here that catches you off guard. There are some similarities here to Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay. Notes of honeysuckle, sea salt and powdered lemon bar on the palate. A bright expression of Ritchie vineyard.

Dec 12th, 2019
Shay A
9.3

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Starting to channel some butterscotch and creme brûlée notes. It’s rich without being overly oaked. Honey roasted almonds and even some marzipan. This is 100% Ritchie vineyard and while it doesn’t have classic Ritchie nuttiness, there is a hint of roasted marshmallows that I find common in other Ritchie Chards.

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Starting to channel some butterscotch and creme brûlée notes. It’s rich without being overly oaked. Honey roasted almonds and even some marzipan. This is 100% Ritchie vineyard and while it doesn’t have classic Ritchie nuttiness, there is a hint of roasted marshmallows that I find common in other Ritchie Chards.

Dec 12th, 2019
Tobin Trevarthen

If you like big butterball chards...this is da bomb.

If you like big butterball chards...this is da bomb.

Oct 25th, 2014
Tobin Trevarthen

Creme brûlée in a bottle. Yum.

Creme brûlée in a bottle. Yum.

Oct 19th, 2014
Geoalfie77

Didn’t realize I could like a California Chardonnay this much. Great minerality

Didn’t realize I could like a California Chardonnay this much. Great minerality

Oct 1st, 2017
Jon Simpson

Coconut, orange, vanilla, and oak on the nose. Starts soft on the palate then leads to a full body that is textured and creamy. Leaves a taste of creme brûlée and oak. Aged 20 months in French oak. 622 cases produced.

Coconut, orange, vanilla, and oak on the nose. Starts soft on the palate then leads to a full body that is textured and creamy. Leaves a taste of creme brûlée and oak. Aged 20 months in French oak. 622 cases produced.

Aug 18th, 2016
Valerie Chelley

Full, creamy and notes of butterscotch but still balanced. Not always my style but I have customers that love this style and would love this wine. It is full of that California Chardonnay goodness.

Full, creamy and notes of butterscotch but still balanced. Not always my style but I have customers that love this style and would love this wine. It is full of that California Chardonnay goodness.

Jan 23rd, 2016
Kathleen Schulke

Buttery ...

Buttery ...

Sep 15th, 2015
Austin Blackwell

By far one of the best RRR Chardonnays I've ever had if not the best. Lightly toasted brown sugar, quince, and stewed pineapple. Definite clarity and balance without being heavy.

By far one of the best RRR Chardonnays I've ever had if not the best. Lightly toasted brown sugar, quince, and stewed pineapple. Definite clarity and balance without being heavy.

Dec 25th, 2013
Heather Manross

Heather had this 10 years ago

Heather had this 10 years ago

Feb 27th, 2015