Oh my!

Yesterday, I tasted the 2008 Bjornstad Cellars, Sonoma County Chardonnay - this is their low end blend. The label will say the alcohol is high - don't believe it - its closer to 13%.
And it is the freshest, most perfectly balanced and pure chardonnay I have tasted from any U.S. producer, ever. No wood noticeable, precise structure, good flavors and so damn delicious everything else I have tried paled by comparison.
Due to be bottled in December and released shortly thereafter for about $25/bottle, full retail.

Although low alcohols are not the usual for this house, this particular wine just turned out that way (the label is wrong because the producer had to guess the ABV so the labels could be printed in advance).

It doesn't happen all that often, but this is both a special wine and worth you time and money.
Best, Jim

PS No affliation or financial interest.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for the note Jim. I had not heard of the producer.

And it is the freshest, most perfectly balanced and pure chardonnay I have tasted from any U.S. producer, ever.

Wow! I'll be looking for it and may have to order it. Thanks for the unequivocally positive note, Jim.

I had previously heard of the producer for Pinot Noir but not about the Chardonnay. I justed ordered some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Lioco. I hope I like the 2007 Chardonnay from Charles Heintz vineyard as well as I liked the 2006. The website notes say it is less opulent than the 2006 which they said was a "love it or hate it wine" but one which I really liked, but I can go for a more austere Chardonnay also if balanced and revealing fruit and terroir.

This sounds like a very nice Chard. but not a WOW!! wine for me. My WOW wine is Newton Unfiltered and I'd love to find it or a similarly styled wine for $25.

Let me be clear, my "Wow" was awarded to Jim for his opinion that the wine was the "freshest, most perfectly balanced and pure chardonnay I have tasted from any U.S. producer, ever" - not to the wine itself.