Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2017

Alana L rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Davis Bynum River West Russian River Valley 2017 Chardonnay features an intentional, luscious creaminess imparted from winemaker Greg Morthole’s winemaking choices: fermentation in French and Eastern European oak barrels, malolactic fermentation and ageing on the lees with monthly bâtonnage. Its rich, full and luscious with fruit (super ripe apple, sweet lemon, mango, pineapple) and some cinnamon spice on the nose all following through on the palate with additional notes of caramel and brioche (from the oak) and cream (from the lees) and a touch of minerality and wet stone coming through on the finish. For all its creaminess in the mouth it has a nice acidity that balances things out.

Think of pairing this with creamy, ripe cheese or grilled chicken in a mushroom sauce or vegetarian stroganoff!

California leads the world in Chardonnay, its most planted variety and was the first in the world to bottle Chardonnay under varietal labeling, establishing the practice for all of the New World, and its unique clonal selections for the variety are now grown around the world.

Tasted as part of the "California Wine Month: Classics of California Chardonnay", an interactive panel discussion and tasting considering California’s classics of Chardonnay, its unique history, and its range of styles from different parts of the state; hosted by writer and speaker, Elaine Chukan Brown and California Wines and featuring panelists Ivo Jeramez, Director of Winemaking, Grgich Hills; Niki Wente, Fifth Generation Winemaker, Viticulture, Wente Vineyards and Kristen Barnhisel, Winemaker - White Wines, J.Lohr.

Cheers!