Tag: hawkstone wine review

California Chardonnay Taste Test Winner

storytell

 From the 6 bottles tested in round 1 of the Dude of Food’s search for the best inexpensive Chardonnay on June 22, 2015 we have a winner. The results are in. The notes have been compared and the winner of this tight competition was Sonoma County’s Storyteller Chardonnay. That was until I updated this story on July 28, 2015.  While the Storyteller was holding down the 1st place spot the Dude of Food added three more bottles of Chardonnay to his list. The new results follow-

1st Place –  Nitty Gritty Chardonnay Napa Valley 2012   3.9

2nd Place – STORYTELLER 2012    3.8

3rd Place –  Ghost Pines Chardonnay blend 2013    3.6

4th Place –  Kendall-Jackson Vinter’s Reseve 2013   3.5

5th Place – Benziger 2012    3.3

6th Place-  Frei Bros Reserve 2013    3.2

7th Place – Hawkstone 2013    3.0

nitty gritty

8th Place – EDNA Valley 2013   2.9

Hawkstone Cabernet Sauvignon

 Hawkstone of Napa Valley

Barney’s Heritage Cuvee

2012

Limited release of 5491 cases

While sipping this wine, the Dude of Food felt like he had obtained a bargain. This bottle radiates heritage. From the moment you handle the bottle time slows down a little and you begin to feel the serenity of this creation. This is no fast lane wine. This wine exudes the tranquility, longevity and educated qualities of a chateau in the countryside owned by a university scholar/author. The flavors do not jump out of the glass as a sophisticated lady would not sit with her legs open. The characteristics of this wine are more subdued. They have a sense of time and are not in a hurry to get to the end. The delicate balance of depth in fruitiness, richness of earth tones and uniqueness of flavor are well balanced and make this an enjoyable bottle of wine at a reasonable price if you can find it.

hawkstone