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Townley Wines
2009 Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay
Mendocino, CA
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
Other Chardonnays we have tasted
Check out our Mendocino Restaurant Guide
For more information, visit www.townleywines.com |