Some More Christmas Bottles

I also managed to open some bottles of Chardonnay´s from all around the world during the christmas holiday.

2010 Ridge Estate Chardonnay
A cool, somewhat withdrawn but fine nose with nice notes of white peaches, cold butter, wet rocks, dry fudge and a fine smoky scent. Very good in a restrained way.
The taste is fuller, bigger and sweeter than the nose leads on, but not in a negative way. There is lots of good stuff going on here - ripe pears, summerflowers, melted butter and crushed rocks. The finish is long and have a nice grip. The 14% alcohol isn´t noticable at all.
90p   (tasted 2012/12)

2011 Baracca Chardonnay, Miani
I haven´t tasted anything from this Italian cult producer before and this Chardonnay was a stunner. The nose is so pure and elegant with the most lovely notes of white currants, cucumber, peach skin, warm grass and lots of sweet minerals. Cool and racy. This is great.
The taste is elegant, tight and young with lots of smoky yellow fruit, fresh herbs, lemon peel, white currants and some fudge aromas. The acidity is almost teeth gripping. This needs time. What a great structure this wine have!
93p   (tasted 2012/12)

2011 Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay
An open, fruity, fine nose with notes of grilled lemons, grapefruit peel, grey pears, lemon candy and kaffir lime leaves. Very good. Still young though.
The taste is fresh, tight and juicy with lots of ripe lemons and limes with a nice acidity and notes of grey pears, grass, fennel and a nice smoky ending. Good acidity. A fresh finish. This could need a year or two in the cellar.
90p   (tasted 2012/12)

1996 Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères, Verget
A deep, mature, excellent wine with breed, harmony and hedonism in one glass. The nose explodes from the glass with stunning notes of lemon cream, para nuts, butter crackers, dry fudge, tarragon butter, dry honey and chalky notes. Very intense and complex. Layer upon layer of mature yellow fruit. Stunning!
The taste is as good as the nose with ripe, mature yellow fruit paired with a caramelly sweetness and fresh acidity. Lots of notes of dried summer flowers, fudge, lemon cream, pan fried nuts and crushed slate. Long, long, long finish that ends very fresh. Another winner from Verget and the 1996 vintage.
95p   (tasted 2012/12)