Norm's Tasting Notes
by:Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
2013 Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay
#nb-40-14
A few weeks back we had a small gathering of college classmates in Lagrange, Georgia, where coincidently the hometown college, Lagrange College, was having their home-coming and alumni reunion. By the way, Lagrange College dates back to 1831, and is a very charming school. Although none of us went to school there, it added a festive atmosphere to our weekend, and we indulged in large quantities of food and drink, most of which was of course, wine. The white wine highlight of the weekend was the 2013 Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay, and the flip-side was a rather distasteful locally grown white muscadine, whose name will remain un-mentioned. I will write about the red wine highlight next week.
Just a touch of oak and a nice buttery taste make this well balanced Chardonnay a real "winner", and a price of less than twenty, also makes it a pretty good bargain as well. It has the distinct Chardonnay bouquet of apples and pears, with maybe a hint of citrus floating in the breeze. The taste is just what the "Chardonnay Queen" ordered, with just a little finesse, and long on character. The apple and pear flavors dominate with a background of tropical fruit and faint trace of vanilla. The finish is crisp, and it has a very creamy mouth-feel. The alcohol content is just right at 13.5%. Thanks to Rob at the local wine shop for suggesting it. Norm's score is 90.
We enjoyed the Wente Chardonnay before dinner with fruit and cheese, but it would go anywhere you want to take a Chardonnay. As I said, this was the white wine hit at our reunion get-a-way weekend, and next week, I will tell you about the very nice red we enjoyed with our Saturday night dinner at the Mare Sol restaurant in Lagrange.
Score: 90
Price: $16 - $20
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