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Wine Recommendation
O'Brien Family Vineyard
2004 Chardonnay(Napa Valley)
In March, 2000 Bart and Barb O’Brien purchased the former Costello Winery in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. While the jury is out on the fingerprint of this relatively new AVA, local winemakers agree that the varietals that do the best here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay, and that the wines have particularly well-defined fruit character.
The O’Brien’s 33 acre vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay. With the help of vineyard and cellar manager Michael Hanna, the great-great-grandson of John Muir, winemaker Dave Cofran, formerly of Silver Oak Cellars, and consulting winemaker Hugh Chappelle, formerly of Flowers Vineyards and currently with Lynmar, they produce about 8,500 cases in total of Chardonnay, Merlot, and a Bordeaux blend, Seduction.
The “O” Chardonnay is like one of those blond bombshells in night-time soap Desire – all womanly curves, golden tresses, little girl expressions and pouty lips. You sense trouble, but you can’t resist. Enjoy this big, buttery “O” with abandon. With notes of apple, pear, peach cobbler, crème brulee, caramel, butterscotch and honey, it is, by comparison, equally enjoyable and a bit less risky.
Reviewed November 20, 2006 by Catherine Fallis.
Other reviewed wines from O'Brien Family Vineyard
The Wine
Winery: O'Brien Family Vineyard |
The Reviewer
Catherine Fallis
Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth. |