2000 Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay
Napa Vally, California

Tasted September 27, 2003. 14.4% alcohol. Purchased locally at Sigels for $40.99.

Opened and served without decanting in Spiegelau Authentis WeissWein glasses. Served with and after a dinner of grilled freshwater lobster tails and Key West pink shrimp.

The wine was a color of light yellow, clear from rim to center. The nose had nice aromas of fig and honey followed by some floral notes. Tannins were light and smooth, accompanied by bright and refreshing acidity. The fruit was delicate in nature, perhaps because they were being slightly masked by the sugars that were running a little high and sweet. Alcohol was pretty much in balance putting the overall balance as fairly well balanced, although I feel the tannins are just a little light for the acidity that is present. Flavors were heavily oriented towards apple and fresh lemon zest, followed by some pear, buttered toast and caramel. The body weight was between lean to medium with a velvety consistency throughout. I’d say the structure of the wine lends itself to be just a tad towards hollow for something that has such as refined complexity. In general I’d say this wine is a light and refreshing wine meant to be drank more towards young than aged. Recommendation is to drink this wine now through 2005. Rating is between 89-91 points with a value bordering towards acceptable (i.e. note price paid).

JOE...

GREAT notes! I felt like I was drinking the wine while you were describing it!

PLEASE CHANGE THAT $%^&&*$% AVATAR. IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

Like that, huh? What is it? The constant motion or the fact that it is Beavis?

Yeah, yeah, I am Cornholio!

Uh...

Either... no, both... no, neither.

Oh, never mind!