Reviews & Ratings

2015 Rodney Strong Chardonnay "Chalk Hill"

Winery: Rodney Strong

Vintage: 2015

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Chalk Hill"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Chalk Hill

State or country: CA

Price: $22

Cases produced: 76,500

KWG Score: 89.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (89)

Review date: April 13, 2018

Wine Review: With judicious use of oak, the 2015 Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill is following the trend of getting away from heavy oak flavors and leaning towards a brighter and sharper Chardonnay. On the nose, the wine displays some nice notes of Bartlett pear, creme brulee, lilac, and Honeycrisp apple. These flavors are well positioned on the palate and only improve due to the nice backbone of fresh acidity. Unfortunately, the weight of the wine, medium, and the finish keep it from being a show stopper. The body is a bit light, especially for such a strong vintage like 2015, and the finish a bit short. Regardless, this is a great alternative to all the oaky Chardonnays available. - Nicolay

Winemaker Notes: Barrel fermentation in new and seasoned French oak added toasty vanilla and spice complexities. During the twelve months of barrel aging, we regularly stirred the "lees" in barrel, which imparts an elegant fullness and creamy texture on the palate. In the glass, the wine is both creamy and crisp, with flavors of golden delicious apple, pear, Meyer lemon, baking spices with a hint of minerality on the long finish. Enjoy over the next one to three years with a gourmet cheese plate, creamy vegetable pasta or grilled halibut.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Rodney Strong 2015 Chalk Hill Chardonnay.