The Lassaigne estate is located in Montgueux, a large chalky hill whose vineyards produce what many consider to be the finest Chardonnay grapes in the Aube. This place, known as the Montrachet of Champagne, is an island of Chardonnay in a sea of Pinot Noir. blend of grapes from 8 parcels, this version is 72% 2006, the rest 2005. MORE >>

The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. The 2005 vintage was lost to frost for many of his wines so the first vintage of the new regime was 2006 (many of the 2008s were lost too, to smoke this time). MORE >>

In 1973 he and his brother worked the land and sold their first vintage--157 cases of 1973 Chardonnay - to Phil Faight of Groezinger's Wine Shop in Yountville who in turn sold to a small audience of premium wine drinkers who visited Napa on weekends. "So what did the first winery look like?" cakebread cake. MORE >>

If the drinker feels "this is so very much about Chardonnay," that's probably not what the wine maker was going for. 2004) Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru , $55-73, Louis/Dressner Selections / Polaner Imports. The current release is 2006, I believe. think it works this way. MORE >>

They also produce a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon named after the winery's founder, Don Melchor. It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. The first was disappointing. MORE >>