2000 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay - Sonoma County

I am rarely moved to post a tasting note but I feel I'd be doing a disservice to the wine value seeking public.

This wine was very lively with nice acidity. Flavors of honey, pear and nutmeg. There was definitely a nice element of spice which lingered on the finish. Excellent length and finesse on the palate.

Mrs. Wino and I looked at each other pretty amazed at the quality of the wine considering it had a $9.99 price tag. we will be returning to see if there is any left at the shop.

90 points

Valley of the Moon is one my wife and my favorite winerys. Not for the wines, which can range from ordinary to excellent, but because it is a beautiful place and we had a wonderful experience there the first time we went. Our son, who those of you who read my posts know is now 14 was just a toddler in a backpack type carrier on my back. We were making our first real Napa/Sonoma tour and had been told at a few places that we could not come into the tasting room with him (at Smothers Brothers they were even pretty nasty about it and he was asleep in the carrier at the time). At Valley of the Moon not only were we allowed in, but the guy behind the counter took him off our hands and played with him while we tasted the wines. Since it was abour 1 o'clock, we decided to have a picinic lunch at the winery (They have a very nice spot for this with a nice view) The folks at the winery got out a big ball for the kid to play with, offered us glasses to use with our wine (we had plastic cups we were planning to use) and made it a very nice visit. We left with some of their Chards and some of their excellent Port. They have been closed and sold and reopened since then, but last April we went back and found the folks there just as friendly and helpful.