Wine By Nine

White Wine by Hanzell from Sonoma County, California. As this was Michael Terrien's first vintage making the wine, he was focused on determining how Hanzell Chardonnay distinguishes itself in the company of other California Chardonnays. Hanzell's recipe is unique: grapes are crushed before pressing, fermentation occurs in tank rather than barrel, new oak barrels are used only moderately, and malo-lactic fermentation is largely suppressed. The winemaking is so traditional as to be, in an odd way, iconoclast and new. Hanzell recipe honors a lighter winemaking touch and permits clarity of expression. The wine is about place rather than ingredients; traditional, but intentional. Glistening and bright with citrus peel (mostly grapefruit) and bread dough aromas of yeast and wet flour. Subtle flower aromas lift the pear and apple scent and the honeyed, oily richness that develops with bottle age is just beginning to emerge upon the wine's release. Few wineries in California can craft a Chard as rich, balanced and ageworthy as this. In its youth this '05 is flashy in lemondrop, pear and spicy anise, with a honeyed finish and crisp acidity. It's quite addictively brilliant, a wine whose lush harmony mesmerizes the palate. But Hanzell Chards invariably age well, and this is a wine you can dependably put into your cellar for 5, 10, 15 years, even longer, as it continues to evolve and become more limpid and minerally. -Wine Enthusiast

White Wine by Hanzell from Sonoma County, California. Massive, complex, with amazing depth, an opulent, voluptuous wine of tremendous power and authority. Its so beautiful now, you almost hesitate to cellar it, but these Hanzell Chards are built for the long haul... -Wine Enthusiast Honey and grapefruit, typical markers for Hanzells Chardonnay, are prominent at first, but then behind these are compelling characters of pastry shell (baked butter and flour), a delicate toast character from the barrels, almonds, milk and bread dough. A full, round presence in the mouth is supported by acidity that saves the broad and rich texture from being cloying. This vintage should mature in 2012 and carry through to 2020. - Michael Terrien

White Wine by Sonoma Coast Vineyards from Sonoma County, California. The taste profile offers a creme brulee richness in the framework of a fresh, silky acid matrix. The fruit content replicates zesty lemon and fresh pear with a center core of tropical fruit. Malolactic fermentation sur lies results in a graceful and well-structured palate. The aging potential for this wine should be exceptional given the bright acidity and the subtle integration of oak with the wine's complex fruit profile. This wine will evolve dramatically for the next 3 years and will continue to evolve at a more subtle rate for 4-6 years.

White Wine by Chalk Hill from Sonoma County, California. This is perhaps the most elegant Chardonnay ever produced by Chalk Hill. The wine displays the tropical fruit and mineral characteristics of the estate, and is delicately infused with citrus, pear and honeysuckle, an imprint from the cool vintage conditions.

White Wine by Ch. St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. The best fruit from Chateau St. Jean's premier vineyards (including Robert Young, Belle Terre, and Durell) is set aside for this Reserve Chardonnay. Great care is taken to create a great bottle of wine, including aging in sur lie for 17 months in French oak barrels, and then bottle aging for an additional year before release.

White Wine by Hartford Court from Sonoma County, California. Although this inaugural vintage of Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay has a weighty texture with spicy and layered flavors, it finishes with a brightness that reflects the cool climate origins of the stellar vineyards that comprise this new release. Complex aromas and flavors of white peach, citrus blossom, Asian pear and candied lemon give way to a rich and weighty mid-palate, followed by a very long, exotic spice-infused finish.

White Wine by Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. Classic winemaking techniques such as sur lie aging for 17 months are used for this wine. Each lot is kept separate throughout the winemaking process and aged in 100% French oak (57% new). A barrel selection from each lot is made to craft the final blend. Due to the large percentage of Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay in this blend, only 50% of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation as the Robert Young Chardonnay component is kept a nonmalolactic wine. This medium-bodied Reserve Chardonnay opens with pleasing aromas of Bosc pear, lemon candy and nutmeg. Unctuous notes of creamy lemon bar and kiwi fruit are backed by subtle hints hazelnut, baking spice and mineral characters. The well-balanced acidity and complexity of flavors lead to a lengthy lemon oil finish. - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

White Wine by Matanzas Creek from Sonoma County, California. A first glimpse of the wine reveals a pale, straw color, quite typical for a sophisticated Chardonnay. The first nose brings a delicate blend of green apple, white peach, and acacia flower, with a surprising addition of the autumn fruits pear and quince. After a swirl, the second nose reveals a more mineral note of crushed stones, the mark of an exceptional Chardonnay. The palate is round and velvety with a prolonged, flavorful finish of honey and melon. There is also a unique and subtle hint of smoke, derived from basalt, an ancient ocean floor rock found in Bennett Valley's soil. Although this Chardonnay was crafted with 95% malolactic fermentation, it is far from a heavy, buttery wine. Fran?ois strives to create an elegant wine which is expressly crafted to complement the food. In addition, he is able to preserve the fullest potential of the Chardonnay fruit by employing a Champagne-style vinification that is gentle on the fruit during crush and prevents any bitter note in the finish. If allowed to age, this wine promises to further increase in minerality and develop a luscious, butterscotch character.

White Wine by Landmark from Sonoma County, California. The 20 plus separate vineyards that comprise this year's Overlook include such distinguished growers as Sangaciomo, Bien Nacido, Martinelli, Lorenzo and Heintz. All the wine in the Overlook bottling is barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts and undergoes full malo-lactic fermentation. The wine is aged sur lie for ten months in Burgundian barrels and racked to tanks for blending. The aromas of toasted almonds, caramel and coconut are followed by crisp green apple and lemon rind flavors that convey certain minerality. This wine will pair well with seafoods and shellfish, and complement pastas with cream sauces, as well as roast chicken and pork roast with fruit.

White Wine by Ferrari Carano from Sonoma County, California. The 2006 Alexander Valley Chardonnay is a delicious wine with floral and fruit aromas of pear, Fuji apple, citrus and honey graham cracker with a hint of rich caramel and toasted coconut marshmallow. Generous on the palate, creamy vanilla undertones balance layers of toast and spice on the finish, while the tropical flavors linger to the end.

Pay only a penny for shipping now until 3/27/07. Promo code and details at Wine.com.White Wine by Stonestreet from Sonoma County, California.

White Wine by Stonestreet from Sonoma County, California. This three-ridge Chardonnay is a remarkable representation of Alexander Mountain terroir. A blend of Stonestreet's Upper Barn, Red Point and Broken Road vineyards, this wine carries a signature element from each: Red Point's unique minerality, Broken Road's complex and bright fruit character and Upper Barn's majestic, balanced finish. Look for fresh apples, complex mineral and creamy lemon-lime flavors on the palate. Tropical notes and ripe peach aromatics are followed by a solid, lengthy finish.