2004 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

The wine is light and refreshing, with a hint of crispness. The citrus aroma is punctuated with lemon zest. On the palate, guava, pear and nectarine flavors at the forefront, give way to layers of tropical fruit characters. Subtle vanilla notes and a bit of light spice round out a smooth, bright finish.

Vineyards

Known for its extended growing season and unique eastwest valleys, Santa Barbara County offers grapes every opportunity to ripen to their fullest and deliver fruit with concentrated flavors and colors. Cool breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean keep the temperatures mild and even most of the year, further enhancing fruit quality.

Winemaking

Immediately after harvest, the whole clusters were sent directly to press in order to extract the juice as soon as possible and avoid any bitterness pickup from the skins. A cool ferment was employed to retain freshness. In order to maintain the emphasis on the fruit, the wine was not put through malolactic fermentation nor aged in oak.

Winemaker

Ron Schrieve

Technical Details

Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.53
Total Acidity: 0.64 g/100ml
Harvest Date: September to October 2004

 

Ratings & Reviews

Wine Spectator (December 15, 2005)
"The core green apple flavors are crisp, clean and flinty, without using oak as a crutch. The pure fruit flavors stay fresh and lively, and end on a cleansing note. Drink now." - Jim Laube

 

Wine News (Oct/Nov 2005)
"Crisp scents of green apple, white peach and minerals. Juicy flavors of peach and Granny Smith apple have a touch of creaminess. Sweet pineapple notes in the close."

 

News & Record (Hail to the Chef, January 24, 2007)
"When heads of state come to dinner, White House dishes out only the best... Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford has done a great job of serving American food... some of the wine choices include boutique labels not widely available such as Greg Norman Chardonnay." - Darlene Superville

 

Chile Pepper Magazine (All About Onions, October 2006)
"The fresh flavor of the Red Onion Chutney demands a bright-tasting wine. Try the 2004 Greg Norman California Estates Chardonnay. " - Dick Rosano

 

Sports Illustrated (The Grapes of Golf, April 10, 2006)
"The Tour's combination doubles the number of wines available with connections to professional golf, thus creating a wine category. Greg Norman was the first golfer to get into the business in the mid-90's. Included on the list of recommended golf wines: 2004 Greg Norman California Estates Chardonnay." - Bill Henderson

 

Midwest Wine Connection (April 2006)
"Crisp, clean, well-crafted and refreshing Chablis-styled, oak-free, all-purpose dry white wine with a long lively finish, superb with Quiche." - John Breitlow

 

Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences (Wine of the Week, March 23, 2006)
"Superb fruit with an aroma of squash, bright citrus fruit, and hints of complexity from barrel aging. But at the wine's core is lovely complexity that's not at all clumsy or soft. Pair this excellent wine with lighter seafood dishes." - Dan Berger

 

Colorado Wine News (Jan-Mar 2006)
"Shows well-toasted oak on the nose before flavors of green apple, lemon, lemon peel and well-toasted oak which finish medium-long." - Harold Baer, Jr.