Philly Wine Finder

Housley's Century Oak Chardonnay River Ranch 2011

If a wine has "oak" in the name, how much oak can you expect in the taste?  Because this wine is called "Century Oak" we expected it to be way overoaked.  But no! we'd say the oak on this one is moderate. 

This is a decent, middle-of-the-road, middle-of-the-oak California Chardonnay. 

 

Housley's Century Oak Chardonnay River Ranch 2011
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32676
Size: 750ML
Price: $11.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

 

 

MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay 2009

MacMurray Ranch is on property once owned by American actor Fred MacMurray, known for his role in the film noir classic Double Indemnity and the television series My Three Sons. MacMurry bought the ranch in 1941 and used it to raise cattle. In 1996 it was purchased by Gallo. One of MacMurray's daughters still lives on the ranch and participates in the wine business.

 

The 2009 Sonomoa Coast  Chardonnay received a 90 point rating from Wine Advocate and 86 points from Wine Spectator.  To us this tasted like a full-bore California chardonnay in the new world style: full aromatics, big oak and vanilla flavor, a rich mouthfeel, some sweetness. May be a little too much on the vanilla for some palates.

 

MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32480
Size: 750ML
Price: $12.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $16, Min $14, Max $19)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Sonoma Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.8%

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Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 2006

Restrained oak, nice finish. Part of the Chairman's Selection Sale, down from $19.99 to $13.99, still some available in Philly. Good one to have around for summer.

Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 2006
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32329
Size: 750ML
Price: Was 19.99 Now 13.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $24, Min $21, Max $28)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

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Region:    New Zealand > North Island > Auckland
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010

X Winery was created from an MBA project of Reed Renaudin in 2001. The basic idea, described on their web site, is to take grapes from "some of California's top growers," blend them, and then use technology and low production costs to offer quality wine at a value price. 

While that may sound like a recipe for plonky bad wine to some, the wines from X Winery receive positive reviews in the Wine Advocate and other wine publications and are touted for their value for the money. 

We didn't find any reviews or even any information on the web site for the Chardonnay North Coast 2010, but we found it to be a solid effort, fresh and clean tasting, pleasant Chardonnay mouthfeel, and not overoaked at all. At $8.99 it's a great deal and a perfect wine for mid-week quesadillas.

Rating: 82, or 3 out of 5.
 

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32426
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $32, Min $32, Max $32)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > North Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.9%

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Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2010

Kenwood can't be beat as a California chardonnay in the oaky-buttery style (but not too much!) in this price range. Pleasant vanilla (but not too much!), ripe tropical fruit and acidity still coming through. Similar to Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve (but not too much!). We stand by our 2009 review.

Thank you to the PLCB for offering this year after year at the same price. A solid every day chardonnay. 

Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32385
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $11, Min $9, Max $14)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

 PAWineTalk

Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Foggy Oaks Russian River Valley 2008

PAWineTalk had this to say about this wine:

 

"But if you are into oak-laden Chardonnays then this is a decent one for the price.
[ecola]: Tastes like lighter fluid with sawdust in it. Awful wine, over-oaked and way too much acidity. If you buy this please do not talk to me again, I will have nothing to say to you."

 

Ok so we like a big oaky buttery Cali Chard every now and then, so we wanted to try this one. The problem for us with this one was not so much that it was over-oaked, but more the "lighter fluid" quality mentioned by ecola that threw it out of balance for us. 

 

A better buy right now is the Kenwood Chardonnay.

 

Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Foggy Oaks Russian River Valley 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32325
Size: 750ML
Price: $12.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $19, Min $16, Max $22)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Russian River Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.9%

 

 

Big Ranch Big Gross

Since this wine has the word "big" in the name, we were hoping for some classic big oaky buttery Cali style chardonnay that is not so much in fashion anymore but we like from time-to-time anyway.

But this is just all lemony and way out of balance and kind of gross. Big Ranch was a big disappointment. 

Laird Family Chardonnay Big Ranch Vineyards 2010
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32070
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99

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Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Blanc and rotisseur

A decent inexepnsive French Chardonnay paired with chicken and sides from rotisseur at 21st and Chestnut. We'd rate it at 3 or 3+ or 85-87. Buy this and the Kenwood and you can have simple French and California Chardonnay on hand all summer.

Available at the Premium Collection stores in town and in the burbs.

Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Blanc Laforet 2009
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32160
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99

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Fish Tacos and...Gewurz or Chardonnay?

We set out to make San Diego-style fish tacos. We took the essential elements to be (1) white fish (mahi mahi, cod, and halibut were some suggestions, cooked fried, grilled, broiled, whatever) (2) soft corn tortillas  (3) shredded cabbage and (4) the white sauce.

We opted for broiled cod, marinated in olive oil, the juice of 2 limes, some oregano and some cumin; flaked it apart into chunks on the serving plate. The white sauce was made from equal parts mayo and sour cream, with the juice of a lime squeezed in. We added a tomato and avocado salsa because we had an avocado we wanted to put to good use. And of course, sprigs of fresh cilantro.

Just pair it with beer you say? We say nay-nay. Both of these Chairman's Selection white wines worked well: Firehose Gewurtztraminer and Kenwood Chardonnay. The Firehose is a nice inexpensive  summer white to keep around for spicy food (hence the name.) We also love the Kenwood, the oak and vanilla are there but not too obnoxious. 

The Kenwood is around, but you'll have to go to the somewhat skeezy South Street or Fairmount stores for the Firehose. The price is right though, if you like Gewurz.

Firehose Gewurztraminer California 2008
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32051
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99
Region:    USA > California
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2009
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 30899
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

 

Two Chairman's Chards: Ministry of Vinterior vs. Domaine Alfred Chamisal

These two Chardonnays are both Chairman's Selections at the moment. What's the diff? The Ministry of the Vinterior is more restrained, more mineral, better with food; the Domaine Alfred Chamisal is fuller bodied, more oaky, and can stand alone.  They are both good. The Vinterior is possibly the better value and would be a good picnic wine. The Ministry also has a fun schtick going with "the ministry is watching" and their mock edicts.

Click on the maps on PAWineTalk to find that both of these selections are available circa del Philly, with the Ministry in plentiful supply.

Ministry of the Vinterior Chardonnay 2009
Chairman's Selection
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32057
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Russian River Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13%

 PAWineTalk

Domaine Alfred Chardonnay Chamisal Vineyards 2007
Chairman's Selection
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 13956
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99
Region:    USA > California > Central Coast > Edna Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    14.1%

"A rich, full-bodied wine, with a complex mix of ripe fig, smoky, toasty oak, cedar and herb. Ends with a slightly coarse edge. Drink now through 2012."
*87 points Wine Spectator, November 30, 2009

 

"Domaine Alfred. Ongoing themes of well-ripened apples accented with deft touches of coconut, cream, and hints of sweet smoke feature in both the well-defined nose and nicely filled flavors of this attractive effort, and, while a comparatively big wine, it is both energetic and well-balanced."
*89 points Connoisseurs' Guide, October 2009

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