On the nose, this wine has enough butter to give a marathon runner a cholesterol problem. Oak and poached pear round out the hedonistic aromas.

The palate is where this wine really shows off. It has a huge mouthfeel without being too rich and creamy (and though it seems impossible, there is such a thing). Sweet tropical fruit and oak dominate, but there's also a tartness that gives this bottle some complexity and makes it more food-friendly.

The finish is looooooong and all about oak, earth and fig flavors.

Now, I know that this is a '99, and Geyser Peak's 2000 Reserve chardonnay has already been released, but I've been seeing a lot of the '99 still hanging around on shelves, and the 2000 just may crowd it into the sale bin (which is what happened at my local store, where I scooped this baby up for a paltry $15).

So, this review may be a little late (tres passé), but now's the time to take advantage of those discounts. Besides, I'm nowhere near as behind the times as Oklahoma. They just banned cock fighting last week!

Cheers,
TSW

Oh dahling, haven't you heard? White is the new red!

Chardonnay, while still one of the most popular varietals on the globe (and THE most popular in the U.S.), could use a little PR like that. With ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) clubs increasing their membership numbers, people who once sought out huge, thick, buttery, oaky chards from California are now tired of these rather one-dimensional Sunshine-state staples.

But what exactly are people tired of? My theory is that a lot of them aren't sick of the full-body and lush mouthfeel that initially attracted them. Rather, I think it's an utter lack of character and complexity that is pushing them toward other varietals.

While trying new wines is strongly encouraged, you shouldn't have to give up your first love - especially when there're affordable chards out there like this one.

Geyser Peak's Reserve chardonnay has character and complexity up the wazoo (which has gotta hurt). And its golden hue goes just perfectly with that new purse of yours!