Sbragia Family Vineyards

Home Ranch Chardonnay

8.8130 ratings
8.816 pro ratings
Dry Creek 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
Sipping Fine Wine

Medium lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of ripe apple and lemon citrus, oak and vanilla, smooth with a crisp texture, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with citrus fruit and sweet savory mineral character.

Medium lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of ripe apple and lemon citrus, oak and vanilla, smooth with a crisp texture, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with citrus fruit and sweet savory mineral character.

Apr 4th, 2022
Dr. Owen Bargreen

The 2018 Sbragia Family Vineyards ‘Home Ranch’ Chardonnay is a seriously good effort from famed winemaker Ed Sbragia. On the nose this grabs your attention with baked pear, marzipan and shades of lemon cream that all fill the glass. The bright acidity is lovely here as lemon creme brûlée, ripe pineapple and shades of butterscotch flavors all enter the fray. While a delight to savor in its youth this excellent wine will cellar well for a decade or more, picking up earthy tertiary notes as it evolves. Drink 2019-2029- 91

The 2018 Sbragia Family Vineyards ‘Home Ranch’ Chardonnay is a seriously good effort from famed winemaker Ed Sbragia. On the nose this grabs your attention with baked pear, marzipan and shades of lemon cream that all fill the glass. The bright acidity is lovely here as lemon creme brûlée, ripe pineapple and shades of butterscotch flavors all enter the fray. While a delight to savor in its youth this excellent wine will cellar well for a decade or more, picking up earthy tertiary notes as it evolves. Drink 2019-2029- 91

Aug 2nd, 2019
Ian Staub

Rich and oaky initially, but that mellows out over the course of an hour or so. What emerges is an intense aroma of ripe apples, stone fruit, and candied lemon peel. Full bodied with notes of vanilla and almond paste. Enough acidity to balance out the richness. Enjoyable, but I prefer a leaner and brighter Chardonnay. However, this stood up nicely to a grilled Santa Maria tri-tip, which is certainly saying something.

Rich and oaky initially, but that mellows out over the course of an hour or so. What emerges is an intense aroma of ripe apples, stone fruit, and candied lemon peel. Full bodied with notes of vanilla and almond paste. Enough acidity to balance out the richness. Enjoyable, but I prefer a leaner and brighter Chardonnay. However, this stood up nicely to a grilled Santa Maria tri-tip, which is certainly saying something.

Aug 3rd, 2017
Barista&Sommelier

Complex and tasty... A great Chardonnay! Shows its Oak right away but stay calm and give it a chance; its not wood juice. Nice complex nose but very difficult to detect its fruit; is it peach? Is it pear? Lots of roast and toast; almonds, bread. A malolactic fermentation is evident which really turns down the acidity and brings out the flavors.

Complex and tasty... A great Chardonnay! Shows its Oak right away but stay calm and give it a chance; its not wood juice. Nice complex nose but very difficult to detect its fruit; is it peach? Is it pear? Lots of roast and toast; almonds, bread. A malolactic fermentation is evident which really turns down the acidity and brings out the flavors.

1 person found it helpfulAug 7th, 2015
Peter Bowers

Upon opening the first impression was prominent oak which started softening about 30 minutes after opening. Then, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all present

Upon opening the first impression was prominent oak which started softening about 30 minutes after opening. Then, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all present

1 person found it helpfulNov 9th, 2013
Michael Chelus

Apple, lemon, dried apricot, buttery oak, honey, hay and slate. Good acidity and balance.

Apple, lemon, dried apricot, buttery oak, honey, hay and slate. Good acidity and balance.

Oct 7th, 2016
Ellen Clifford

Eh...okay if someone told me they wanted a Cali chats with all the oak and buttery trappings I would be like "taste this more elegant than the average doll" wine but for my personal tastes... Too much oak, too much over-ripened fruit of varying types...coming soon on my blog a French V Cali Chard comparison because I guess I am an anti-oaky snob...

Eh...okay if someone told me they wanted a Cali chats with all the oak and buttery trappings I would be like "taste this more elegant than the average doll" wine but for my personal tastes... Too much oak, too much over-ripened fruit of varying types...coming soon on my blog a French V Cali Chard comparison because I guess I am an anti-oaky snob...

Jul 14th, 2016
Bryant Bickel

Big rich and thick, it's a big boy with plenty of oak but it is well integrated with the lush fruit

Big rich and thick, it's a big boy with plenty of oak but it is well integrated with the lush fruit

Jun 11th, 2015
boyd

Too much oak and not enough acid for me. Little too much flabby butter ball.

Too much oak and not enough acid for me. Little too much flabby butter ball.

May 25th, 2015
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

This is from one of the families vineyards.

This is from one of the families vineyards.

Apr 15th, 2014