A passion for a more austere Chablis style wine from this noble grape has been Forman's goal for more than 36 years. Since 1980 the Rutherford Star vineyard in the heart of the Rutherford Bench appellation has been the source of the Forman Vineyard Chardonnay. It has continued to produce consistent quality over the last 20 years. The wine emphasizes and develops a minerality which, with age, develops into a very racy and elegant food worthy wine.
A dense plushy red color. Immediately pleasurable and full blown Bordeaux varietal fruitiness in a ripeish sense captures one’s attention after an initial acquaintance with the wines’ aromatics. A concentration and multi-layered intrigue opens quickly after a bit of aeration. Rich tobacco with a mocha note is at the edges of a beautifully plumy and then berry fruitiness. The typical Forman licorice/violet is yet another layer deeper under the initial forward fruitiness. The aromatics seem endless in depth. Flavors too are complex and rich as the nose and color would indicate. A long chocolately-berry finish refreshed with just the right level of acidity leaves lasting impressions.