1997 Andersons Conn Valley Chardonnay Fournier Vineyard
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An impressive wine from Conn Valley Vineyards, this non-malolactic, powerful, concentrated Chardonnay from the Fournier Vineyard. It is bottled after 18 months in oak, with considerable lees stirring for 300+ days. A powerful, complex Chardonnay, it displays a Burgundian-like leesy, earthy style. The 1997 Chardonnay Fournier Vineyard is already showing some of the lemon zest, orange rind, and smoky hazelnut characteristics of a mature and concentrated white Burgundy. There is decent underlying acidity, full body, and copious glycerin, concentration, and intensity. This is not a Chardonnay for readers looking for a shy, restrained wine. I would not be surprised to see the 1997 last well beyond the normal optimum period for drinking California Chardonnay -- 2-3 years. Tel. (707) 963-8600; Fax (707) 963-7818
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow-gold. Complex aromas of butter, marzipan, clove, mint, flint and nuts. Sweet, fat and thick, but given shape by firm acids and an intriguing herbal nuance. Quite full and rich. The '98, tasted from tank, showed superripe aromas of quince and dried fruits to go with its smoky/flinty quality and had sound acidity to frame its thick fruit. I scored this wine 89-90.