FRANCISCAN CHARDONNAY - 2009

Napa Valley 100% Chardonnay with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light yellow color with a butter, popcorn and citrus nose. On the palate, flavors of citrus-pear with creamy, toasty, vanilla oak. Minerality on the smooth finish. Good length and structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A crisp, balanced effort with still a significant amount of oak showing through despite the fact that only 20% new oak was used. Retails for around $18 a bottle.