Another ho-hum, rather crowd-pleasing wine from the once-great house… Maybe I’m just being a bit too romantic: I always loved the brand, the location, the history, and–naturally–the wines, but it just seems things have slipped a bit since the blockbusters I have enjoyed over the years from the 70’s and 80’s. I had a cab not too long ago which somewhat shocked me in its meh-ness and this chard does little to eradicate those emotions. Buttery and soft, its nose a charming dedication to sweetness and oak integration, dark hints of burnished fruit a RRV trademark.

I tried drinking it at my normal 55-65 and the horrible mom-grip brunch-crowd of boredom screamed for more refrigeration. Now down in the hi-40’s, it numbs receptors approvingly into a charade of bright acidity to attempt balance with all the chubby clings a decidedly glycerin-y mouthfeel brings to bear. No tannin, no acerbic distinction, no granular titilation of core and sustenance, everywhere a boring blase of dessert, this is a 99% wine through-and-through, and I can’t help it over the fence of Howell Mountain chagrin, despite a *Class of 72* distinction some of us cherish in lustful memories.

2018 BURGESS Chardonnay Burnside Road VYD RRV Sonoma Co. 14.1

https://www.burgesscellars.com/