N°81 Chardonnay Reviews

The 2020 Chardonnay No 81 comes barreling out of the glass with bold notes of apricots, green guava, passion fruit, and toasted almonds with hints of cedar, fresh ginger, and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, it is rich, intense, and decadent in the mouth, with a creamy texture and long, savory finish. JC first came to the USA in 1981 and decided then that he would come back to make wine.

Elegant, succulent and creamy, with apricot and Meyer lemon flavors that show plenty of nutmeg-laced spice details, backed by a lingering note of toasted sesame seed. Drink now. 250 cases made. 

The 2014 Chardonnay No. 81 is scented of ripe apples and peaches with hints of cedar, baking bread, marzipan and ginger. Medium to full-bodied and silken textured, it offers a great concentration of clean, ripe stone fruit flavors with some savory characters coming thorough on the long finish.

The 2013 Chardonnay No. 81 from Sonoma Coast is a more steely, mineral-laced Chardonnay that tastes like a grand cru Chablis, with loads of crushed rock, white currant and quince. This full-bodied Chardonnay is a dead ringer for a grand cru Burgundy. It is gorgeous and reserved, but intense at the same time. 

SILVER

Editor's Choice. A beautiful Chardonnay, dry, crisp in acidity and complex in tropical and citrus fruit, peach, honey and oak flavors. The richness is balanced by a flavorful minerality and the finish is dry. At this price, the wine can stand beside more expensive Chardonnays, which make it a value.

In contrast, the 2011 Chardonnay No. 81 exhibits more wet stone, white peach, apricot and gravelly notes along with a steely backbone, good acidity and excellent freshness. This impressive, mineral-laced, linear-styled, impeccably made Chardonnay should drink well for 3-4 years.

Rich and ripe, this wine has orange, mango, apricot and vanilla flavors, accented by bright acidity. It offers immediate appeal to fans of the oak-driven Chardonnay style.

Lots of zesty, mouthwatering acidity in this Chardonnay. The pineapple, crème brûlée, buttered toast and vanilla flavors are so rich that they require balance, which the zippy acidity provides. Maybe a touch too oaky, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

A soft, round chardonnay with scents of almond flan and butter beans, this is balanced for cream-sauced fish. (500 cases)

Go elsewhere if you’re looking for a big, oaky Chardonnay fruit bomb. This one is controlled and elegant, offering tantalizing hints of pineapples, minerals, sweet cream, buttered toast and spices. The acidity is mouthwatering. An elegant, food-friendly wine at a good price. — S.H. (7/1/2011)