Wine-o: 2010 Irony Chardonnay

Irony 2010 Chardonnay Napa Valley, CA

Alcohol:  14.5%

Price: ~$11-

A great Chardonnay!  I enjoyed this wine served at room temperature instead of chilled.  It was full of butter and apple flavors, while not overpowering or spicy.  Straw yellow in color and clear; it paired amazingly with Perch Po' Boy sandwiches and a damp fall evening.  This Chardonnay currently rivals the Lucky Star and Clos du Bois that I love!

Freya's Score 83

Mona's Value 7.6

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Robert Mondavi Chardonnay

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 St. Helena, California

Alcohol:  13.5%

Price: ~$8.50

This Chardonnay is light and crisp.  It's a nice medium between sweet and dry.  Very affordable and with a slight buttery taste.  Overall I find it a bit too light for my taste.  It seems I prefer a more heady, or bold Chardonnay.  However I find the taste quite pleasant and would purchase again or give as a hostess gift.  

After reading the vineyard's description... I do like it more since reading the tasting notes.  Perhaps thats because they said the 2010 season was a strong one, perhaps my wine has aired more and is in fact better.  It does have a bit of a tang to it, probably denoting the peach and brown sugar flavors they refer to.  It's a fine wine and an excellent price for it.

In 2010, our Central Coast Chardonnay grapes enjoyed an extended period maturing on the vine, which produced fruit with impressively concentrated flavors. The natural roundness of our Chardonnay was enhanced by partial barrel and malolactic fermentation coupled with extended aging on the yeast lees, resulting in a luscious, complex wine. The nose reveals lemon blossom, pineapple, and peach aromas with smoky oak nuances along with enticing vanilla spice and toasty brown sugar flavors. The creamy, mouthfilling palate creates a lush impression and is balanced by a rich, lingering finish.

Freya's Score 74

Mona's Value 8.7

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Smoking Loon Chardonnay

Smoking Loon 2009 Chardonnay, California
Alcohol:  13.5%
Price: ~$10.50

I confess, I bought this wine because of the amazing store display.  There is a sweepstake for this bike, and of course I entered myself, and The BF into it.  How cool would it be to have a wine cruiser bike?! (The only downside is that this is not a step through "ladies" cruiser which is my favorite...)

I selected a Chardonnay from their wide variety which included Old Vine Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and more.  The wine had a pleasant, subtle taste of fruits.  It wasn't as dry as I prefer, but a bit more floral in taste.

Freya's Score 70
Mona's Value 6.7
The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Sawtooth Chardonnay

Sawtooth Winery 2009 Chardonnay 
Snake River Valley, Idaho

Alcohol 14.3%

Price $13

This past summer during our road trip out west, we picked up some beer and wine to try.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Snake River area in Idaho (just outside Boise).  It was wonderful to be 30 minutes from a large city and surrounded by farms and mountains.

Sawtooth Winery was a stop The BF requested because of their striking wine labels.  We bought a couple bottles, one being the 2009 Chardonnay.  It packs a bit of a punch at 14%+ alcohol and is a very dry Chardonnay (and yes it has a buttery flavor to it!).  While a bit too dry for my taste, the flavor was lovely.

It should be noted that Sawtooth Winery has received awards and is a noted Idaho wedding venue.  Bookings can be made by emailing: kellig@sawtoothwinery.com 

Freya's Score: 82

Mona Value: 6.3

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price, giving a better analytic that takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Marcus James Chardonnay

Marcus James Chardonnay, Eastern ARGENTINA
Alcohol 13.5%
Price: ~$11

Our move has been successful!  The art is up, and I am cleaning now because the dogs continue to shed, not for sanitization or moving reasons!  As the job search rages, I've converted momentarily to mondo sized wines, you know, the 1.5L steals that you can find for parties and whatnot.

If you know my current taste in white wine, you will know that I like buttery, full, Chardonnays, like Lucky Star's Chardonnay.  This is not buttery.  It is full, and the label says it all: "crisp fruity style with hints of apples and other orchard fruits..."  I really enjoy it.  It seems almost like a Sauvignon Blanc, but is drier as one would expect of a Chardonnay.  

All in all, it's great, it's large, and it's original looking. It goes well with appetizers such as tortilla chips with salsa or hummus, as well as roasted chicken.

Freya's Score: 70

Mona's Value: 6.4

Wine-o: Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay

Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%


If the last Chardonnay I reviewed wasn't very buttery, this one definitely is!  It had a strong flavor I have found in several white wines that I've enjoyed and I think this can be attributed to the "soft toasty oak".  It is a very full and strong flavor, I did not find it subtle.  In a moment of laziness, I was also very happy to discover that the top is a screw cap top, an excellent choice for a party gift or camping.


This summer we are enjoying a 6 week vacation across the country before we relocate.  We enjoyed this wine in Aspen, CO.  It paired wonderfully with grilled salmon and zuchinni.

Vintage Notes from the Vineyard:

Grapes come from our vineyards in three growing regions in Sonoma County: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Carneros. A year of fire and ice, we began 2008 battling heavy frost in April, fires in the summer, and heat in the early fall. Reduced yields but intensely flavored, well-balanced, ripe fruit was the happy result of a very challenging growing season. Harvest began mid-August and was completed the beginning of October — 2008 being one of the fastest harvests we can remember.

Price: ~$23
Freya Score: 78
Mona Value: 3.4

Wine-o: Edna Valley Chardonnay

Edna Valley Vineyard 2008 Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%

This was a fantastic white wine.  It was a tad more fruity, and not as buttery as other California Chardonnays.  I was excited to try this wine as it is from Central California.  I have heard that the San Luis Obispo area is wonderful to visit for wine tastings.  We enjoyed this wine with delicious stuffed shells and meatballs made by Granma.  It paired very well with a light summer salad and grilled squash and zucchini.  This wine also has a higher alcohol content, so pace yourself if you are the designated driver!

From the vineyard:

Our vineyards enjoy one of California's longest and coolest growing seasons, thanks to sea breezes funneled inland through Edna Valley.  Our Chardonnay has amazing flavors of lush white peach and sweet spice with a crisp, clean finish.  You will love our Chardonnay with fresh seafood, grilled chicken or roasted pork.

Price: $12-$20
Freya Score: 85
Mona Value: 5.3

Wine-o: Cupcake Angel Food 2010

Cupcake Vineyards Angel Food 2010, Livermore, CA

13% Alcohol

I was apprehensive about trying this wine.  I expected a sweet riesling like quality.  What I received was far better!  This was a great blend between a buttery California Chardonnay and a fruity Sauvignon Blanc. It is not a sweet wine, think more of a fruity Chardonnay.

Review on tastings.com

Pale golden straw color. Fruity and floral aromas of pineapple and peach jams with a soft, fruity medium body and a tangy, lemon and orange custard finish. A very attractive sipper.

Freya's Score: 8 What a fun surprise this wine was!  The labeling is also lovely.

Cost:  ~$9.00 from Walmart!

Wine-o: Lucky Star Chardonnay 2009

Lucky Star Chardonnay 2009, Graton, CA

13.5% Alcohol

The back label states:

"Star light, star bright, your Chardonnay wishes have been granted.  With golden apple aromas and flavors, hints of citrus and a rich, crisp finish, our wine is heavenly matches with light appetizers, seafood, and frilled salmon or chicken.  May our wine shine brightly at your table and bring good fortune to you and those who share it."

What a lovely introduction to this sweeter Chardonnay.  I love the buttery flavoring to it.  It bursts in your mouth with an array of fruitiness that I find very pleasing.  A very decent price, lovely label, and great (sweet) taste!

Freya's Score: 8 I love the buttery and full flavor of this Chardonnay!

Cost: ~ $10 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  Try out the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store to have wine and other goodies delivered to you.  

Wine-o: Charles Smith Eve

Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay 2009, Washington Valley, OR

I finally frequented Pressroom after work.  The coffee house recently obtained their liquor license (conveniently in time for New Year's Eve) and I have been told by various Bentonville locals about how wonderful their offerings are.

Since I had a bottle of red already open at home I decided to go with a glass of white, the house white recommended to me was the Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay.  The 2009 vintage was lovely.  A little bit on the crisp side for a chardonnay, but still with a buttery hint to it.  (I love buttery chardonnays.)  The menu described it as having pear and apple flavorings which I found delightfully offset that buttery flavor.

Pressroom opened in downtown Bentonville in the fall of 2011, just in time for the grand opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  The coffee house features a delightful offering throughout the day.  Grab an amazing coffee drink in the morning (my favorite is the brown sugar latte), pastries by  the Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie pastry chef throughout the day, light and healthy lunches, and finally a full bar menu with cheese, olive, and charcuterie plates in the evening.  

This has been an amazing addition to the downtown area and is a convenient walk to the Square, Crystal Bridges, Walmart Visitor Center, and all the other retail, yoga studio, and restaurant perks in downtown.

Freya's Score: 8  This great wine added to a lovely happy hour with some girlfriends!  The label art on the bottle is also super fun.

Cost: ~ $7 at Pressroom in Bentonville, AR

Wine-o: Tasting at Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, California

Assorted red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines

I was first introduced to wine tasting by my father in Temecula, CA.  One of his favorite wineries is Wilson Creek Winery and so he insisted that as many of the family as possible go.  It features a tasting room, restaurant, outdoor gazebo, lawn, and large store.

We tried a variety of wines at the VIP Wine Tasting Bar in the back barrel room since my father is a member of the Wilson Creek Wine Club.  He receives a discount on all purchases and a certain number of cases mixed by his choice every year.

The five of us came to a pretty general consensus as to which wines we felt were the strongest:

2010 "Yes Dear" Chardonnay

2008 Winemaker's Select Zinfandel (the 2009 has not aged enough yet)

2007 Family Meritage

I also enjoyed the 2010 Golden Jubilee.  This wine was a bit too sweet for many in our party and was probably the sweetest I would enjoy now.  It is definitely a summer wine in my mind.  It made me want to sit outside with a huge fresh salad and fish entree.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Rosie Wilson, one of the owners.  She was in great spirits and regaled us about their fun New Years costume party.  The 2012 theme was the 1920's flapper era.  She also had a trusty Golden Retriever in tow; the mascots of the winery.  There were a couple around the grounds lounging and receiving love from many customers (including me!)

Freya's Score: 8 -This vineyard is lovely.  Clean and with extensive grounds, it is great fun for a group trip.  Also, doggy presence gives an automatic score of at least 5 since we love dogs so.

For NWA locals, you can purchase the Wilson Creek Almond Champagne (their signature product) from Macadoodle's, check out their new e-commerce site to make digital orders!

Wine-o: Four Vines Chardonnay

Four Vines, 2009 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, CA


A couple weeks ago I drove to the Macadoodle's in Pineville, MO.  I had a mission.  My stepsister had just told me that during her visit to our parents they had gone down to Temecula, CA and had a great day of wine tasting.  I was determined that I too could have wine tasting despite the fact that I currently reside in NW Arkansas.  My Mission: a case of 12 different wines from California for my own personal tasting.

From the vineyard: 

"Step away from the barrel! This Chardonnay was fermented in 100% stainless steel and has not seen any oak, nor does it want to. This is crisp, concentrated Chardonnay with all its natural acid. Naked exhibits apple, white peach, and pear, finishing long with hints of citrus and mineral. Eat oysters and drink "Naked" often!! Share with a friend..."

This wine is very tart and quite dry.  It has almost a greenish tinge in coloring.  The aroma is very strong and sharp.  The tart flavor got stronger after it had been open a couple days.  A day after opening the wine tasted more of fruit flavors.

Freya's Score: 7 -the price is right!  I would bring this to a friend's house as a hostess gift.

Cost: ~$10 Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!