Lynmar 2011 Monastery Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Country: US / California
Variety: Chardonnay
Winery: Lynmar / Monastery

This is one of Lynmar’s most expensive Chardonnays, of their six 2011s. It’s also one of the most forward and oakiest. Your first impression is of sweet buttered toast, sprinkled with brown sugar and drizzled with melted butterscotch. Then the tropical fruits kick in, brightened with citrusy acids. It’s an impressive feat, but the wine feels overworked, and lacks the sustaining interest of Lynmar’s other bottlings.