2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay

The 2010 Chardonnay Estate brings together the richness of the house style with the insistent minerality that is typical of this Spring Mountain site. The depth of the Old Wente clones comes through in the wine's overt personality. The 2010 has a little more tension and less overt fruit than the Russian River bottling.

The 2010 Chardonnay 8 is a typical Russian River Chardonnay loaded with butterscotch, mango, orange blossoms, pineapple and sweet spices. Rich and voluptuous yet beautifully balanced, the 2010 is extroverted and harmonious at the same time. I have a preference for the Estate bottling, but readers who appreciate flashier Chardonnays may prefer the 8. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. This is another solid set of new releases from Vineyard 7&8. Under the direction of oenologist Luc Morlet and proprietor Wes Steffens the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has begun to emerge as a wine of true distinction and personality. As good as the wines are today, my sense is that there is considerable upside still to be realized. Tel. (707) 963-9425, info@vineyard7and8.com

(from small-berried old Wente clones): Bright, full yellow-gold. Exotic butterscotch and mango with whiffs of apple and pear on the nose. Fat, chewy and broad; conveys a sweet impression but some edgy acidity and an impression of chewy extract give the broad finish a firm edge. Offers a nice combination of salinity and fruit. Both this and the estate chardonnay were bottled ten days before my March visit.