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2004 Gallo Family Vineyards, Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay (California) Gallo is not only one of the world's largest winemakers but has the skill and resources to produce quality wines across a very broad range of varietals and price points. The company shows its abilities once again with this very nice Chardonnay for less than $12. There is a distinct nose of citrus and apples with tart, fresh green melon, butter and vanilla flavors. It's partially aged in oak, enough to give some flavor and backbone, but not so much as to overwhelm it.2004 R Collection, Monterey Chardonnay (California) This is made by Raymond Vineyards from its 300-acre vineyard in Monterey. R Collection is its new brand for solid, inexpensive wines. This one is deep gold in color and has an aggressive nose of apple, honeysuckle and white truffle. This is a voluptuous wine with flavors of honeyed figs and caramel. It has a lively acidity that keeps it from being too heavy. It sells for around $12.
2004 Pepperwood Grove, Chardonnay (California) This is a terrific value produced by Don Sebastiani & Sons, scions of the famous Sebastiani family of Sonoma Valley. The oak is clearly distinguishable in this wine, but it doesn't overwhelm. Light, smoky, butterscotch scents rise from the glass, and there are rich, round caramel apple and passionfruit flavors on the palate. I paid $7 for this wine and it was much better than many wines I recently paid two to three times more for.
2005 Four Vines, Naked Chardonnay (Santa Barbara, California) This is a simple, fresh and delicious wine for a little money. There's a great concept! You will find newly mashed green apple smells on the nose and rich, perky fruit flavors like pineapples and peaches on the palate. Nicely tart. Oh, and "naked Chardonnay?" It simply means unoaked in the vocabulary of winemaker Christian Tietje. Enjoy it for less than $12 a bottle.
2004 Mâcon-Lugny, Les Charmes, Chardonnay (France) This delightful wine is made from old vines from southern Burgundy. It is aged in stainless steel tanks and is unoaked. It's gentle, sprightly and nicely balanced. There is light spiced pear and citrus essence on the nose. The pear and white peach flavors are distinct, but delicate on the palate. This wine won't overwhelm you, but it should tickle your fancy, especially at under $10 a bottle.
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