2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 90 pts (WS) (White Wines / Chardonnay) -- California Wine Shopping Cart -- (WS) pts 90 Valley Sonoma Chardonnay Hanzell 2005

<H1>2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 90 pts (WS) -- California Wine Shopping Cart</H1> $62.95 -- 2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley90 pts (WS) <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/calwine/images/hanzellchard.jpg" ALIGN=right ALT="2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 90 pts (WS)" NAME="2005 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 90 pts (WS)" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> 2005 Hanzell Chardonnay A ripe, flashy style, with a burst of pear, apple, melon and citrus, with a dash of hazelnut and spice. Complex and well proportioned. Drink now through 2011.—J.L. MArch 12, 2008 Glistening and bright with citrus peel (mostly grapefruit) and bread dough aromas of yeast and wet flour. Subtle flower aromas lift the pear and apple scent and the honeyed, oily richness that develops with bottle age is just beginning to emerge upon the wine’s release. For the 2005 Chardonnay the wine making was unchanged from the traditions of Bob Sessions’ three decades as winemaker. Bob’s techniques are not typical, and as this was my first vintage making the wine, I was curious to learn how Hanzell Chardonnay distinguishes itself in the company of other California Chardonnays. Hanzell’s recipe is unique: grapes are crushed before pressing, fermentation occurs in tank rather than barrel, new oak barrels are used only moderately, and malo-lactic fermentation is largely suppressed. The winemaking is so traditional as to be, in an odd way, iconoclast and new. Stylish Chardonnays created for exuberant ripeness, buttery richness and dominant oaky flavor do not allow a sense of place to show. The Hanzell recipe honors a lighter winemaking touch and permits clarity of expression. The wine is about place rather than ingredients. The winemaking is traditional, but intentional. Michael Terrien, Winemaker This is a California wine <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com/calwine" TITLE="California Wine Wines">California Wine Wines</A> <A HREF="http://www.calwine.com">California Wine</A> California Wine Online Store powered by Nexternal <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="shopping cart software">shopping cart software</A>