Winemaker Notes
Pale lemon yellow, with aromas of ripe lemon, yellow apple, pineapple and toasted oak. Balanced and layered on the entry with ripe lemon, green apple and grilled ripe pineapple with attractive smoky oak and vanilla barrel notes. The crisp mid-palate shows savory chamomile flower and a pleasant mineral texture with sustained fruit that continues through the clean, textured finish.
Pair simply with yellowtail sashimi garnished with a fresh lemon wedge, or try it with a dressed-up chicken picatta, served with a pan reduction of lemon, butter, capers, and a touch of garlic.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Take a nosedive into scents of bright, clean lemon drops before alert acidity on the palate leads to tangerine and tarragon. The mouthfeel is light and energetic and the finish creamy, with a streak of freshly juiced lime. Modern and on target for value and quality.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Spiced orchard fruits, brioche, honeyed pineapple, and lots of spice emerge from the 2017 Chardonnay Overlook. This is a rich, nicely textured, balanced Chardonnay that way over-delivers at the price. I don't expect it to make old bones, but it's one delicious drink today.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: I have been a fan of the Landmark Overlook Chardonnay over the last two decades. The 2017 vintage is one of the winery's best efforts to date. TASTING NOTES: This wine is powerful, yet pleasing, and delectable. Its aromas and flavors of dried peach skin and oak should pair it deliciously with slices of roast chicken of fresh garden greens and a lemon-accented dressing. (Tasted: March 17, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
California’s most praised white wine, Chardonnay is also the state’s most planted white grape variety. Diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of wine styles.
Chardonnay planted in the cooler, coastal zones takes on bright characteristics like lemon zest, key lime, green apple and wet flint. For this style, look to the chilly Sonoma Coast, Carneros, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands and Edna Valley.
The inland zones of California’s coast, such as the Russian River, Sonoma, Napa and Livermore Valleys maintain a more Goldilocks-esque climate where both styles go. Early picking retains acidity and creates a leaner style but leaving the grapes to hang creates an approachable Chardonnay, balancing richness and finesse.
Chardonnay also plays a major part in the sparkling wine production of the Anderson Valley and Carneros.