98 2005 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Chardonnay 2/17/18 ($28)
14.6% alc
Color: Deep 22kt. gold. Looks mature. (3.5) Bouquet: Buttered rum, toast, honeysuckle and kiwi. Very concentrated and elegantly harmonious. (4.0) Body: Light heavyweight with outstanding fruit and excellent acidity and minerality. Rich, silky mouthfeel that coats. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not quite as distinctive. (3.5) Finish: Very long and elegant, yet intense with poached pear, honeysuckle and ripe kiwi being more fresh and distinct here. (4.0)
Overall: A totally mature Chardonnay that is very great. Distinct flavors of buttered rum, toast, honeysuckle, kiwi and poached pear are still fresh and precise, in spite of mature/complex old Madeira nuances that it has acquired with age. Still going strong and may even be still improving if you like 'em mature. Drink now and in the next few years. The greatest CA Chardonnay I've ever tasted!!! (18.5)
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