Wine Tasting - Toasted Head Chardonnay 2009

“What is the definition of a good wine?  It should start and end with a smile.”

 - William Sokolin

May every minute of your day only be surpassed by the next one.

Tiffany and I had a leisurely Easter afternoon sitting on the back patio sipping wine and savoring fresh fruit and vegetables.  A most wonderful day only to be topped by our selection of the day, 2009 Toasted Head Chardonnay. 

Point Score A:  92

Point Score B:  88

2009 Toasted Head Chardonnay

Appellation:  85% Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California

Grape Varietal(s):  Chardonnay

Retail Price:  $8.99

Vintage:  2009

Producer:  Toasted Head Winery

Alcohol:  14.5%
Calories:  101 per 4-ounce

Tasting sheets as follows.

Reviewer A

Reviewer B

Although the scoring was 4-points apart, our words say the same thing... "Wow!"  A tremendous value for a spectacular Chardonnay.  I shall not try to elaborate on those words recorded upon Review A and Review B above.  I think between them both all has been said. 

The label reads as follows:

"Toasted Head is named for the age-old practice of toasting barrel heads with fire, which is what helps to create the distinct toasty flavor in all our wines.

Our chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented and aged for eight months, imparting a unique richness and complexity to the wine, complemented by tropical fruit, peaches and pineapple on the palate.  The finish is well-rounded with toasty coconut and butterscotch notes."

Their website reads:

"Vineyards - The grapes for our Toasted Head Chardonnay come primarily from Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County (85%), while the balance of the fruit is carefully sourced from prime vineyards in the Central and North Coast growing regions of California. The rolling Dunnigan Hills provide a warm climate during the growing season, which enables the steady ripening of the grapes. The thin soils in the vineyards are comprised of clay loam, providing an ideal site for the vines to thrive.

Winemaking - The grapes are picked in the early morning and gently de-stemmed and pressed to optimize freshness and purity. The juice is fermented entirely in oak barrels for eight months. The barrels used are 55% American, 25% Eastern Europe and 20% French. As the wine is aged sur lie (on the yeast lees) in barrel, they are hand-stirred every two weeks to enhance its creamy texture and integrate its toasted oak flavors. The Chardonnay is then racked off of the lees and settled in the tank before bottling. It can be aged for three years.

Winemaker's Note - The nose offers ripe pineapple and peach aromas with toasted graham cracker. The bright straw color prepares the palate for the rich tropical fruit and luscious stone fruit with a viscous mouth feel accented by toasted coconut, vanilla and butterscotch. The creamy finish lingers with hints of buttered toast and lemon zest. This wine will pair well with creamy Italian pasta dishes, roasted chicken or fish, and fresh summer corn."

If you wish to savor a rich creamy, oaky, and fruit-forward Chardonnay, I believe that Toasted Head has a bottle for you.  Me?  I'm going back to Costco and buying more while it's on sale. 

Hi-dee hi-dee found-a-winner-Chardonnay-ho my friends.