Wyland Cellars 2008 Napa Chardonnay - Review

Wyland Cellars
2008 Napa Chardonnay
Carneros, CA

Marlowe and Darren Huber ran two successful Canadian wineries before heading to the Southern California sunshine. They settled in Orange County's Laguna Beach where they opened a boutique winery in 2003. It was while living in Laguna that, in 2005, they partnered with famed marine artist Wyland and the Wyland Cellars label was born. Currently, the brand produces a Cabernet Sauvignon, Brut Sparkling Wine, Raspberry Sparkling Wine and a Chardonnay, all adorned with Wyland's eye-catching art. The 2008 Chardonnay is made in a classic California style. On the nose it offers fall fruit aromas mingled with a whiff of buttered toast. In the mouth it is fairly full-bodied with pear, peach and roasted nut flavors and lemon acidity. It offers the silky mouthfeel of malolactic fermentation and a lingering toasted oak flavor on the finish. The wine is a bit precious, with the techniques of winemaking and flavor of alcohol overshadowing its fine Carneros fruit. But for an oak-aged California Chardonnay, it's a pleasantly versatile wine. It would work with brunch or a sophisticated lunch of quiche, poached chicken salad or lobster rolls. With dinner, it would make a nice accompaniment to roast pork and root vegetables, pasta with cream sauce or your favorite grilled white fish in lemon butter sauce.

Rating: 13.5/20
Price: $25

Other Chardonnay wines we have tasted
Check out our Napa Valley Travel Guide

For more information, visit www.wylandcellars.com