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Wine Recommendation
Costa de Oro Winery
2005 Estate Chardonnay, Gold Coast Vineyard(Santa Maria Valley)
Like any number of others in the field, Gary Burk, winemaker at Costa De Oro, didn’t
start out to be a vintner. But a dinner in Santa Maria with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and
Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon changed his perceptions. And besides, his father
and his partner had just planted 30 acres of vines in Santa Maria, on soil they deemed marginal
to grow their vegetable cash crops. At first, Gary sold the grapes to other wineries, while making
a few barrels on the side for himself. After eight years of apprenticeship at the Au Bon
Climat/Qupe’ facility, he went solo in 2002.
This newly released 2005 Chardonnay from his own Gold Coast Vineyard is rich, full
bodied and full on with butter cream, lemon and pineapple flavors, as well as plenty of caramel
and brown baking spices in the mix. This hits the mark as quintessential Santa Maria Valley
Chard with all the sensuous bells and whistles that makes your palate stand up and salute. It has
that great forward, ripe fruit that is just in your face and beats on your senses for attention, but
also possesses a modicum of French oak and lees stirring effects in context.
Reviewed November 1, 2006 by Dennis Schaefer.
Other reviewed wines from Costa de Oro Winery
  2005 Estate Pinot Noir, Gold Coast Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley)Dennis Schaefer 11/1/2006 |
The Wine
Winery: Costa de Oro Winery |
The Reviewer
Dennis Schaefer
Dennis Schaefer has been tasting and writing about wine for over 30 years, propelled by a continuing curiosity and burgeoning enthusiasm for discovering what’s in the bottle. Blessed with catholic tastes, he enjoys everything from the obvious to the sublime. A major requirement is that the vineyard, winery and winemaker consistently perform well and fulfill their potential. Balance, concentration and complexity are key to the tasting experience but, in the end, the purpose of wine is simply to give pleasure. |