Townley 2009 Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay - Wine Review

Founded in 2007, Townley is the dream of Randall Townley Bennett and his partner Lindsay Maria Barnes. While working as assistant winemaker for Sonoma's Sojourn Cellars, Bennett launched his boutique operation as a side project. Their goal is to grow Townley into a sustainable, luxury wine retreat. Although that hasn't happened yet, the winery is growing in reputation for its small-lot Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. On the nose, the 2009 Alder Springs Chardonnay is buttery with layered aromas of stone fruit, citrus, green notes and a bit of toast. Up front, it offers bright, Meyer lemon and lime zest with more juicy peach, Asian pear and green apple flavors evolving toward the middle and back of the palate. Relatively oily in the mouth, the wine lingers long with a buttered toast note and a hint of dried apricot. A nicely balanced wine, it would pair well with a wide variety of foods from steamed mussels in garlic wine broth to pork with spiced apples to curried chicken salad. After dinner, it would work with herb-rolled chèvre and toasted pistachios or a simple plate of stone fruit slices with vanilla shortbread.

Rating: 14/20
Price: $38

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For more information, visit www.townleywines.com