Maker: Hawthorne Vineyards, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Style: Oak aged Chardonnay (17 months in oak).
Place of origin: Old Mission Peninsula AVA, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Vintage: 2013
ABV: 12.3%
Price: $22 (winery)
Appearance: Bright straw.
Nose: Brown roux, lemon thyme, oak.
Palate:Mandarin orange, bitter oak.
Finish: Strong oak with a bit of tartness and sweetness.
Parting words: This is a pretty good buttery, oaky Chardonnay. I was a big fan of it at the winery but for whatever reason (probably the state of my palate), it’s not thrilling me currently. Nothing remotely objectionable here, though. It’s not complex but it does serve up pleasant citrus, butter and oak flavors. The oak is strong but some people like that sort of thing (even I do sometimes). If you’re a fan of big Cali Chards, you will also enjoy 2013 Hawthorne Barrel Reserve Chardonnay. It is recommended.
Sipology 