Review of the 2007 Moon Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma County
2007 Moon Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma County
Appellation: Sonoma
ALC: 13.9%
Haydn gives this wine: 89pts
I will admit that I preach what I teach when it comes to wine in the saying, “Drink what you like”. And such is the case for the 2007 Moon Mountain Chardonnay. It’s a very well made wine, has a bit of structure to it, and comes in right around $10.
The common features of a Chardonnay are nowhere present here. You won’t find mouthfuls of butter and oak. What you will find is a more creamy texture to it. There is a bit of acidity, but more cream, like a dessert style cream, then anything near the butter realm.
I feel this wine’s success comes from the 1/3 stainless steel fermentation, instead of entirely oak aged. Yes, it did touch oak (even I was surprised upon reading that) as you really can’t tell that the wine even hit a hint of oak. But such is the case.
The creaminess lies in the 1/3 malolactic fermentation which the winemaker did to soften the sharp acidity. For a wine priced well below $20, this bottle is a true gem and a real find. For a different take on a common grape, the Chardonnay, check out Moon Mountain’s 2007 Chardonnay.
Cheers,
Haydn
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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com
September 12th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I love creamy chardonnays! Not just the taste and mouthfeel. Somehow they make me think of comfort and luxury at the same time
This wine, and at this price, is a winner.
Thanks for the tip!
September 12th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
This winery is not that creamy— as I mentioned the common elements of butter and such are gone. That’s in part to the partial 1/3 stainless steel.