Tasting Notes

Release Date: Fall 1980

We consider this to be one of our best Chardonnays produced to date. It spent a year and three months in barrel and has undergone a malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is very rich and complex, with full, fresh Chardonnay character nicely balanced by oak. Produced in accordance with the tradition methods of Burgundy, using barrels imported from one of Burgundy's finest coopers, the wine is intensely luscious, spicy, and mouth-filling. Although eminently drinkable now, it should age beautifully for five to ten years.

 

Production

377

Tech Notes

Sorry, technical notes are not available for this vintage.

Reviews

The Underground Wineletter - October/Noevember 1980

The tiny acreage on the old Martin Ray Estate high in the hills of Saratoga nearly always produced excellent Chardonnay made by traditional methods. This 1978 is really extraordinary. It has light gold color and a deep, fruity/spicy/vanilla nose. It is very rich and ripe with intense, almost sweet flavor. Oily and velvety with lots of flavor and a lingering finish, this wine should be ambrosia in 3-4 years. Don’t miss this one! 18 Outstanding

Rating Scale for The Underground Wineletter:

18-20 Outstanding

15-17 Very good

12-14 Good

Under 12 Below Average