Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 333,040 strong:

Register Today!

Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013 Wine Review

Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013

Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 14

  Add My Review


Price: $32.95

Drink: 2013-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14.3%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: White Wine


Winery: Martin Ray

Agent: Rogers & Company

Natalie's Score: 90/100

Butterscotch nose that's very attractive (and from oak aging) is balanced with peach and golden apple notes. Nice balancing acidity on the palate for roast chicken or turkey. Lovely, classic Californian Chardonnay.

Chardonnay food pairings: apple and aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwich, chicken supreme with mushroom risotto, pan-fried cod with lemon butter sauce, spring rolls with spicy sweet chili sauce.

Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine

This Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013 was reviewed on January 31, 2016 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2021  2018  2016  2017 

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

StoreStock    
Highway 7 & Weston15 Add
Steeles & Hwy 4109 Add
Erin Mills & Eglinton6 Add
Innes & Tenth Line5 Add
Tecumseh & Lauzon4 Add
See More Edit

Reviews and Ratings

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is a very pleasant Chardonnay from California. Aromas comprise of golden delicious apple, vanilla, apricot and caramel. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity. Flavors of peach, apple and caramel linger on the palate with a long, stone fruit finish. Pair with chicken and vegetarian pasta dishes with cream sauce. Tasted Jan 31, 2016.
Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Light in color, subtle on the nose - a hint of honeydew melon - the palate delivers a medium bodied, well balanced and flavorful Cali Chard with hints of vanilla, candied apple, apricot and pear. There is a well balanced acidity and lingering flavors on the palate.
Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This rich and elegantly balanced Sonoma Chardonnay shows prnounced aromas resembling cooked apple, hazelnuts, sweet smoke, caramel and a hint of oak resin. The palate is buttery smooth with similar notes repeated from the aromas. The acidity (medium +), sweetness (off-dry) and fruit concentration balance harmonously. This style of Chardonny pairs very well with lobster or butternut squash ravioli in cream based sauces. Tasted Jan 2016.
Bill Wright Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Beautiful nose of apple and melon. Buttery smooth and fruity. Tasted Jan31/16
Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This Russian River Valley, Sonoma Chardonnay is pale gold and declared at 13.5% ABV. Aromatics of butterscotch, golden delicious apple, minerality. Full-bodied, dry with long finish and persistence of caramel, all spice and golden delicious apple. Tasted Jan 2016.
Nick Onischuk - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013 is very good! Apple, peach, caramel and vanilla make up this delicious wine. Tasted January 31, 2016 (90/100)
Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Aromas are clean, and include apple, pear, butter and a bit of caramel. Oak aging is very balanced, present but not overwhelming. Flavours of honey, citrus and tropical fruit mingle with some soft oak. Try this with pasta in alfredo or a creamy risotto.
Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Light yellow, apple, mellon and citrus on the nose along with light oak spice. Ripe sweet pear and peach along with citrus and light oak spice. Medium full bodied, fresh acidity and medium long butterscotch tinged finish.
Tasted January 2016
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Tropical fruit and butterscotch on the nose, with a hint of smoke. Banana and tropical fruit on the dry, medium-to-full-bodied palate with a lingering butterscotch finish.
Valérie Dufour - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Discreet nose with aromas of salty caramel and honeydew melon. Balanced mouth with nice apple compote in retro. Refine wine that would be great with grilled chicken or mushroom risotto.
David Skinner rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Medium gold bright and. Clean. An initial oak-dominated nose is followed by subtle tropical fruit. Pineapple, coconut, and hints of citrus occasionally make an appearance. Tastes of toasted almonds and caramel dominate the palate with subtle fruit. A medium finish.

Should do nicely with a clam chowder or a chicken dish in a cream sauce.
Emilie Ryan rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

A nice, classic Chardonnay…
Presentation: Elegant, classic.
Appearance: Light yellow
Nose: Pineapple, lychee, a little citrus
Taste: Citrus notes, with toastiness and lychee, and a little chalk.
Finish: Some acidity with toastiness.
Overall impression: A nice, classic Chardonnay that is not too heavy. Easy to drink and would pair well with many dishes composed of vegetables and/or chicken and/or seafood
Value: 3 out of 5
Californian winemaker Bill Batchelor makes "great wine for the discerning masses" (is that last part an oxymoron or just back label humour?) The grapes are grown in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley of California's Sonoma County and exhibit the minerality associated with the region. Finishes with a toffee pear note. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Martin Ray Winery Chardonnay 2013, you might also like these wines:

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Wander + Found Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Cuveé Blanc Can

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 333,040 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award