Notes on two California Chardonnays

[wondersofwine]

2004 Bouchaine Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, Ca
Estate Chardonnay
13.5% alcohol Synthetic cork? Family-owned winery.
Can be found on wine-searcher for under $20 or up to higher $20's.
Among the southernmost plantings in the Napa Valley's Carneros Region and encompasses the highest landmark terraces in the Carneros district (resulting in a cool-climate Chard?)
Pale gold rather than pale straw color. Leaves legs on the side of the glass. A not unpleasant waxy lemon sensation on the palate with a hint of vanillin. A little creamier than I recalled from the previous bottle but not out-and-out buttery. Can see this with crab or lobster and also with buttered popcorn. Nice match to sweet corn-on-the-cob. I find this attractive and not overoaked.

(The following vintage, 2005, was rated 90 by "Wine Enthusiast" with the following note: "Nice, dry and complex, a crisp wine with quite a lot of minerality undergirding the fruit and oak. Feels fine and balanced in the mouth and should take a couple years in the cellar.)" The 2004 I had may not be quite as mineral or crisp but I still enjoyed it.

2005 Markham Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA (owned by Mercian, a Japanese wine and spirits company, some connection to Paterno? or is that outdated info)
Paid $19.49 before tax at Grapes and Hops in Fayetteville, NC.
13.8% alcohol
40% of the juice goes through secondary fermentation according to winemaker Kim Nicholls who was at a Markham Vineyards Wine Dinner in Raleigh last February.
13.8% alcohol
Color slightly deeper than the Bouchaine Chardonnay although the wine is a year younger. Taste is also slightly more layered, exhibiting an extra bit of depth. Apple-clove taste sensations along with faint pear. Some toasty oak in the background?--not overpowering. A ginger nuance also. Despite seeming more layered (and less creamy) than the Bouchaine, I prefer the Bouchaine.

[wineguruchgo]

Yes, Markham is connected with Paterno Imports. At least it was when I worked for them.