California, Chardonnay

Rating and review for 2008 vintage:

87 Points - Wine Spectator, December 2009
"Fresh and vibrant, with full-bodied, snappy citrus, grapefruit and pippin apple flavors that are clean and refreshing. Drink now through 2012. 46,220 cases made." -James Laube

"Francis Coppola Diamond Collection wines are made from grapes grown in California's coastal and inland valleys. This Chardonnay expresses luscious aromas of papaya, pear, and pineapple. Bright and voluptuous in character, juicy flavors of apples, guava, and nectarine highlight a palate that reveals just a touch of spice and toasted marshmallow on the long, silky finish." -The Winery

Aroma: Notes of peach, pear and apple combined with hints of tropical aromas and toasted nuttiness.

Flavor: Lively and lengthy on the palate with a great body and structure. Mineral notes linger and the finish is crisp, creamy and clean with apple and citrus flavors.

Aroma: Nutty, spicy, yeasty, pear and vanilla.

Flavor: Bright fruit intensity, lemon and pear flavors. Seductive, viscous mouthfeel with a long, rich finish.

92 Points - Wine Advocate, December 2008
"The 2006 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard Ovation reveals crisp lemon blossom, white citrus, crushed rock, flower, and orange blossom characteristics, and beautiful texture, freshness, and elegance. It is undeniably a successful Chardonnay in a challenging vintage for this varietal in Sonoma. This can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years." -Robert Parker

This medium-bodied Chardonnay expresses bright aromas and complex varietal characters of bright pear, peach and citrus fruit, and displays hints of vanilla and spice.

89 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, November 2009
"Comfortably combining notes of honey with those of candied lemons and creamy, slightly toasted oak, this medium-full-bodied offering turns out to be both tighter in feel and leaner in fruit than its aromas suggest. Still, as with the wines above, it has the depth to open up over time, and if not as bold as some, it will serve quite well with a platter full of fresh shucked bivalves."

Rating and review for previous vintage:

90 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, October 2008
"Classically Grgich in its restrained first impressions, this fairly full and yet firm bottling reluctantly offers up notes of green apples, toasty oak and hints of lime in its aromas, but the wine surprises on the palate with much more evident depth to its firm, tight but promising flavors. This is a wine that has the right pieces in the right places for cellaring."

Rating and review for 2006 vintage:

90 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, October 2008
"Classically Grgich in its restrained first impressions, this fairly full and yet firm bottling reluctantly offers up notes of green apples, toasty oak and hints of lime in its aromas, but the wine surprises on the palate with much more evident depth to its firm, tight but promising flavors. This is a wine that has the right pieces in the right places for cellaring."

Extremely Limited!

96 Points - Wine Advocate, December 2008
"The 2007 Chardonnay Four Hearts, aged in 40% new oak and 100% barrel-fermented, boasts a creamy, creme brulee-like character along with oodles of orange blossom, nectarine, and crushed rock notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning richness and purity, and zesty acidity. Like so many of the 2007s, its sensational fragrance and fruit purity are dazzling." -Robert Parker

90 Points - International Wine Cellar, May 2009
"Light yellow-gold. Mineral-driven aromas of Meyer lemon and apple, with a mounting floral honey quality. Fleshy and smooth, offering gently sweet orchard fruit flavors and good mineral lift. Open-knit and easy to drink, with very good finishing breadth and cling." -Stephen Tanzer