Vintages:
2009 Rosella's
2010 Rosella's
2009 Sierra Mar
2010 Sierra Mar
2010 Monterey
2010 Soberanes

2009 Sierra Mar Chardonnay

Robert Parker
90 points
92+ points
2009 Sierra Mar Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)
This wine blossoms on the palate with layers
of fat, burnished varietal fruit. This presents darker, richer tones than the Rosella’s, along with greater textural depth, but both are beautiful. A round and creamy finish rounds things out nicely. This is the first vintage from Gary Franscioni’s Sierra Mar vineyard. This Chardonnay plot is planted with a Wente clone. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016
August 31, 2011 Issue #196


91 BERNARDUS Sierra Mar Chardonnay 2009 \ $40
Sleek and focused, with fresh, vibrant flavors of stone fruits, honeysuckle, citrus and mineral. Medium-weight, gaining a subtle cedar-vanilla edge on the finish. Drink now through 2016.

302 cases made. – J. L. July 31, 2011

Wine Enthusiast Magazine
92 points
Bernardus 2009 Sierra Mar Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) $40
An elegant Chardonnay, brisk in acidity, with a firm minerality, like a lick of steel. It’s very dry, but seems almost sweet, with a wealth of lime, pineapple, peach and green apple fruit that’s perfectly ripe. Drink this flashy young wine now. – S. H. August 2011