Landmark Damaris Reserve Chardonnay 2007
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The rich structure of this year's Damaris can be attributed to extremely favorable weather conditions and relatively lower than average crop levels. The Carneros fruit contributes an abundance of almond, peach and mango flavors whereas the Lorenzo vineyard's crisp minerality and clay soils add accents of pineapple and grapefruit to this complex and age-worthy chardonnay
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Rich, unctuous and full-bodied, with tiers of ripe apricot, melon, fig and citrus flavors that are intense without being heavy, ending with a dash of smoky oak. Drink now through 2016. 2,000 cases made.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The light gold-colored 2007 Chardonnay Damaris Reserve is sourced from Sangiacomo (89%) and Lorenzo (11%). It exhibits a beautifully scented nose of honeysuckle, caramelized orange rind, peaches, apricots, and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with outstanding purity and richness as well as a nicely layered texture, this is a lovely effort from proprietors Mike and Mary Calhoun. It should drink well for 3-4 years given its acid profile. Winemaker Eric Stern judiciously uses wood as a complementary seasoning, which is evident in all these Chardonnays.
Other Vintages
2006-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.