Comments on: 2008 VINTJS Chardonnay

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:33:19 +0000

Although more than $10 – my favorite Chardonnay that can be purchased at TJ’s is the Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay. At $16.99 this is a fabulous Chardonnay – oaky, full bodied, buttery. I am not a “crisp” chardonnay fan – this is the perfect buttery, creamy, oaky chardonnay for those who like that kind of thing! Have you tried it?

By: jimkay

jimkay — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:33:03 +0000

Maybe this wine gets released in batches. The wine I had today is not “bright” and doesn’t have enough acidity to have an “acid profile.” It is pleasant, with a white fruit palate, but it is soft on the back end, like swallowing juice. Pleasant enough, but not anything that outperforms it’s price point. It’s a wine to sip on it’s own.

By: RMN

RMN — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:41:04 +0000

Going back to Castle Rock – the Cab is 07 from Columbia valley and the Zin is 07 from Mendocino co. Didn’t get the origin of the Merlot. It’s the TJ’s near Concord Airport.
Thanks,
RMN

By: RMN

RMN — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:15 +0000

Jason,
Just been to TJ’s this a.m. and found Castle Rock – Cab, Zin, Merlot varieties for 5.99 and it says that it’s a one time purchase. Bought the Cab. & plan to try it next week. Wondering if you plan to try these 3 specially the Cab.

thanks,

By: Josh McFadden

Josh McFadden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:42:05 +0000

In all honesty this chard was one of the most surprising values I’ve had at TJ’s in about a month.

When I picked up the bottle and saw that is was made by mr. lindquist, i was like “nice!” Bob only sources from a handful of solid vineyards in the santa maria valley– so i knew the fruit would be excellent cool climate chardonnay. no doubt this bottling is his cast-away barrels.. the selections that didn’t make the cut for the $25-$50 stuff. and as everyone knows, the cast-aways… that’s where you find value.

for $7 this wine was outstanding. I would definitely not put this wine into the “buttered popcorn chard” category. this is not Kendal Jackson. The style is lees-y (creme brulee, custard, full and rich mouth-feel), bright fresh fruit (apple, peach, citrus) and a lovely acid profile. Have no doubt this wine is much more sophisticated than $7.. sometimes its easy to write off chardonnay as “just any other one…” but i think this one was/is pretty special.

If you were try this wine again I have a couple suggestions
1. serve warmer than your expect… at 55-60 degrees (that’s about 40 minutes out of the refrigerator)
2. decant the wine, if possible (the wine is young and probably hasn’t been in bottle much time)
3. have it with food (an arugula salad with a simple citrus/olive-oil dressing would be really nice)

Disclosure… I work in the wine industry.. but I had nothing to do with this project.

By: jason

jason — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:29:02 +0000

Alejandro, what are you serving? I’d recommend different things based on sauce types etc. Looking forward to helping !

By: Alejandro

Alejandro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:15:34 +0000

I like your blog and i might need some advice. i been trying a couple of the wines you have reviewed and i see u have an excellent touch. i need help choosing a champagne, wine for dinner and a dessert wine for a special italian dinner you think you could help? trader joes wine would be awesome