90+ 2007 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Estate Chardonnay 5/23/09 ($35)
14.6% alc
Color: Medium gold with a greenish tint. (3.0) Bouquet: Sweet, crisp apple and elegant toast with a touch of alcohol. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity. Does have a touch of alcohol that needs time to integrate. Coats the mouth, rich and lively. (3.0) Flavor: Rich, concentrated honeysuckle and tart apple fruit propelled by excellent acidity and SCM minerality. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but not as rich and shows some bitterness from alcohol. Still long, but not elegant. (2.5)
Overall: This has excellent potential with impressive concentration and structure, but needs time to integrate some bitter heat and gain both complexity and elegance. It is a pleasure to drink now if you serve it at 45-50 degrees (a little colder than I would usually recommend) and give it an hour in a decanter. Serve this with food, ideal with crab or lobster. Better than the '06 and somewhat reminiscent of the '02 in style. Not quite up to the '03-'05, at least if drinking it early. Lighter on the oak than many recent vintages, which some may prefer. (15.0)