Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Valley Westside Farms 2008

"Rating: 88/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the October 2010 issue. Winemaker Gary Farrell has moved on and is no longer involved with the winery bearing his name

Rating: 88/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the October 2010 issue. Winemaker Gary Farrell has moved on and is no longer involved with the winery bearing his name, but his preference for firm, structured Chardonnays has been continued by the new guard. Bright and lively with a fine mix of green apples, citrus, hints of mineral and a whisper of oak, this youngster comes with a few angles and edges but has the inner fruit and focus to smooth and open up nicely with age.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Drinkable now. Further bottle aging can improve this wine.

This Russian River Chardonnay shows a lemon-gold color with medium intensity and bright clarity in appearance. The developing nose has medium plus intensity and shows ripe apple, pear, acacia blossom, lemon, toast, popcorn and vanilla. The palate is dry with medium plus acidity, body, flavor intensity and length, showing additional notes of citrus peel and butterscotch. The wine's lively acidity and supple viscosity will lend itself to many seafood and poultry dishes, as well as aged Gouda cheeses.

Winemaker's Notes - The 2008 growing season was a roller coaster year, beginning with dry warm weather that started vines growing early. Freezing temperatures followed during spring (down to 23 degrees F. in some areas of Sonoma County) causing some frost damage, followed by excessive heat and high wind during bloom. Slightly below average to moderate temperatures carried through the summer. From a wine making perspective, the dry growing season produced "moderate stress" on the vines, which limited growth of the canopy and focused the vines' energy on the grapes. The smaller berries with the slightly lighter crop combined to produce beautiful concentrated fruit flavors.

This Russian River Chardonnay shows a lemon-gold color with medium intensity and bright clarity in appearance. The developing nose has medium plus intensity and shows ripe apple, pear, acacia blossom, lemon, toast, popcorn and vanilla. The palate is dry w