Sonoma-Cutrer 1998

Sonoma-Cutrer 1998 Chardonnay, Russian River Ranches, Sonoma ($18). Fiercely independent Sonoma-Cutrer has been purchased by Brown-Forman (Jack Daniels, Fetzer), and its future, as they say, remains to be seen. This wine, from the old regime, is a classic of the winery`s style: firm, bright, clear-as-a-bell and delicious from first sip to last. A familiar restaurant wine, it is one of the most food-flexible California chardonnays on the market. Richard Nalley`s wine articles appear in Men`s Journal, Food & Wine and Departures. He is the winner of the 1997 James Beard Foundation Award for Magazine Wine Writing. Please send your wine questions to Wine Talk, c/o Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Questions regarding individual bottles or collection appraisals cannot be answered.

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Author: Richard Nalley