Rock View
Reserve Chardonnay
Mendocino, North Coast, California, USA
Bright gold. Inviting nose and medium full palate of lightly carameled apple, butterscotch, and white pepper. Medium plus acidity brightens it all from entry to medium short finish. The "popcorny" element of previous vintages has gone away in favor of a more balanced fruit to oak to malo ratio yielding a lighter version of the big Carneros style of Robert Lloyd's namesake offering. Very nice if you like this style. Drink now.
Bright gold. Inviting nose and medium full palate of lightly carameled apple, butterscotch, and white pepper. Medium plus acidity brightens it all from entry to medium short finish. The "popcorny" element of previous vintages has gone away in favor of a more balanced fruit to oak to malo ratio yielding a lighter version of the big Carneros style of Robert Lloyd's namesake offering. Very nice if you like this style. Drink now.
Dec 17th, 2023
Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and heavy oaky spice. On the palate flavors of basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent oaky spice. The wine had too much oak, probably used staves, but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and heavy oaky spice. On the palate flavors of basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent oaky spice. The wine had too much oak, probably used staves, but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
Jun 7th, 2023Last bottle I tried was ‘15, this is no better. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and heavy oaky spice. The palate shows basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent oaky spice. The wine had too much oak, probably used staves, but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
Last bottle I tried was ‘15, this is no better. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and heavy oaky spice. The palate shows basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent oaky spice. The wine had too much oak, probably used staves, but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
Nov 29th, 2019Bright yellow gold in the glass. Nose of yellow apples and popcorn (but read on!)! Medium palate yields a great balance between baked yellow apples and *lightly* buttered toasted popcorn. Supported nicely by a backbone of medium plus acidity. Don’t be put off by my earlier description. The “popcorn” is ultimately a balance of malolactic and roasted oak. And the key word is “balance.” All of the things you look for in a California Chardonnay are there — oak, butter, pole and tropical fruits — but none of them overpower or dominate. A fine example of what Mendocino can do with this chameleon of a grape.
Bright yellow gold in the glass. Nose of yellow apples and popcorn (but read on!)! Medium palate yields a great balance between baked yellow apples and *lightly* buttered toasted popcorn. Supported nicely by a backbone of medium plus acidity. Don’t be put off by my earlier description. The “popcorn” is ultimately a balance of malolactic and roasted oak. And the key word is “balance.” All of the things you look for in a California Chardonnay are there — oak, butter, pole and tropical fruits — but none of them overpower or dominate. A fine example of what Mendocino can do with this chameleon of a grape.
Jan 31st, 2019Bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of yellow apple ale lightly buttered popcorn. Medium full bodied palate echoes the nose with medium plus acidity. Balance is key. Buttery to be sure, but everything else is there too. If you like the classic California style, this gives it in spades. Pair with lobster, roast chicken, or cream sauces.
Bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of yellow apple ale lightly buttered popcorn. Medium full bodied palate echoes the nose with medium plus acidity. Balance is key. Buttery to be sure, but everything else is there too. If you like the classic California style, this gives it in spades. Pair with lobster, roast chicken, or cream sauces.
1 person found it helpfulAug 14th, 2019Straw color with tropical fruit aromas and heavy spice. The palate shows basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent spice. The wine had too much oak but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
Straw color with tropical fruit aromas and heavy spice. The palate shows basic stone fruits with citrus tang and pungent spice. The wine had too much oak but thankfully the finish leaves quickly. Pass, better Chards out there at comparable prices. Tasting Sample.
1 person found it helpfulSep 17th, 2016
Fantastic chard. The picture of balance in a white wine - creamy and buttery with some butterscotch, mango, pineapple, and yet a lovely acidity drawing you into another sip.. Drank the whole bottle and kinda want some more... Very good QPR.
Fantastic chard. The picture of balance in a white wine - creamy and buttery with some butterscotch, mango, pineapple, and yet a lovely acidity drawing you into another sip.. Drank the whole bottle and kinda want some more... Very good QPR.
Sep 2nd, 2015
Vanilla & pineapple in the nose with lemon, pineapple and butter in the palate. Full bodied wine that paired well with white cheese
Vanilla & pineapple in the nose with lemon, pineapple and butter in the palate. Full bodied wine that paired well with white cheese
Mar 1st, 2025Total Wine tasting too dry not great
Total Wine tasting too dry not great
Feb 28th, 2025