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     ENGLEWOOD WINE MERCHANTS August 28, 2007     

 

2005

Ici/La-Bas

"Victoria"

Elke Vineyard

Alexander Valley, CA

Varietals:
100% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes:

Great Burgundian acidity is complimented by buttery aromas of brioche, tropical fruit and spicy oak - oak that is perfectly integrated, never dominant and never masks the elegant attributes of this California Chardonnay. The 2005 vintage out of California, in particular Anderson Valley, produced wines of great quality possessing all the power and richness of New World Chardonnays as well as fantastic minerality and acidity of a Burgundy due to the cool growing and harvest conditions. Enjoy now or hold for several years.

Ici/La-Bas "Victoria"
California Fruit With A Burgundian Spirit

— LIMITED QUANTITIES —

($29.85 per bottle / $304.47 per case) We recently attended a private wine tasting at Per Se where we had an opportunity to enjoy the 2005 vintage of Ici/La-Bas "Victoria" before it was released. Wow! This California Chardonnay captures the essence of both Burgundy and California. This is not surprising since the wine is made by Jim Clendenen, the owner of Au Bon Climat Winery who is notorious for making wines with a Burgundian influence by capturing the essence of the terroir and retaining the natural acidity in the wine.
    Aromas of buttery brioche married with tropical fruits and nuances of spicy oak fill the glass - oak that is perfectly integrated, never dominant, and never masks the elegant attributes of this wine which is often the case with over-the-top California Chardonnays. Its voluptuous nature is counter-balanced by a graceful mouthfeel and fantastic acidity that keeps you coming back to the glass for more. In the mood for Fish? Chicken? Pork? It doesn't really matter as you can pair this fantastic wine with almost anything. Drink now or hold for several years. Enjoy! Order Here.


- OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS -

05 Babcock 05 Grgich 05 Maldonado

By David Gettenberg, Co-Owner of Englewood
Wine Merchants
ENGLEWOOD WINE MERCHANTS
3 E. PALISADE AVENUE
ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631
WWW.ENGLEWOODWINEMERCHANTS.COM