2000 Sierra Vista Chardonnay

(El Dorado): Totally unoaked. Quite a bit richer and weightier than the ’99, less of a steely-green apple, more of riper apples, pineapple, and kiwi. The intensity of the fruit (probably enhanced by a cold fermentation) gives a sweet impression in the mouth. The ’00 is much more of what you’d expect from a California chard than the ’99 was, for better or for worse. Still cheap, still tasty, still food-friendly.

SY (5/01)