Received the 2011 Reserve Chardonnay from Riverbench in a member shipment a while back and drank it about a week ago. Riverbench, founded in 1973, has long held a very favorable reputation for producing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay out of the Santa Maria Valley. Their winemaker, Clarissa Nagy, has all the tools to make great wine and this is a great example. ~32$ | #riverbench #chardonnay #santamariavalley
On the eyes: starbright, yellow-gold with light stain and med tears. No gas/floc.
On the nose: very buttery with an oaky nuttiness rounded by melon, guava, and pear.
On the tongue: slightly effervescent with med acid, med tannin, and med+ alcohol, floral notes yielding to lemon, melon, and pear on a nice creamy mouthfeel. There's a bit of spice and unmistakable buttery oakiness on the much appreciated long finish.
Received the 2011 Reserve Chardonnay from Riverbench in a member shipment a while back and drank it about a week ago. Riverbench, founded in 1973, has long held a very favorable reputation for producing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay out of the Santa Maria Valley. Their winemaker, Clarissa Nagy, has all the tools to make great wine and this is a great example. ~32$ | #riverbench #chardonnay #santamariavalley
On the eyes: starbright, yellow-gold with light stain and med tears. No gas/floc.
On the nose: very buttery with an oaky nuttiness rounded by melon, guava, and pear.
On the tongue: slightly effervescent with med acid, med tannin, and med+ alcohol, floral notes yielding to lemon, melon, and pear on a nice creamy mouthfeel. There's a bit of spice and unmistakable buttery oakiness on the much appreciated long finish.
1 person found it helpfulAug 15th, 2015
This is one of the few Cali style Chardonnays that I come back to again and again. Unmistakably new world on the nose it is balanced and food friendly on the palate. One of my fave central coast vineyards.
This is one of the few Cali style Chardonnays that I come back to again and again. Unmistakably new world on the nose it is balanced and food friendly on the palate. One of my fave central coast vineyards.
Aug 21st, 2019
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
