Picked up a bottle of Diamond Oaks de Maniar 2001 chardonnay yesterday. Trouble is, I don't know much about it (except that it wasn't that cheap.)

Anyone know anything about it??

This won't tell you what other people think about them, but here's their website.

"Well, the world needs ditch-diggers too."

Miami Atty:

I tried some of their Chards last year at a retailer tasting and found them to be smooth, but overoaked and overpriced.

Vino Me posted a tasting note here

Cheers,

Otis

Look in the 2004 Whirlwind Tour thread, first post.

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www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

Thanx for your responses guys.

I'll break this open with some stone crabs tonight. Every now and again I'll pick up something out of the blue. I've been pretty lucky in most cases trying to find the hidden treasure.

Got your notes Pyang. I'll post a review tomorrow.

Diamond Oaks Chardonnay used to be our house Chardonnay by the glass for $7. It was very popular and a crowd pleaser. It's typical sweet California fruit with nice butter and green apple and moderate oak, but not much complexity. We had to stop carrying it because availablity became erratic. Apparently, we were able to get it in Austin because it was exclusive to one grocery store (Central Market). I'd try it along with La Crema, Sonoma Cutrer and Ch. Souverain and see which you prefer.

Looks like Pyang was correct. It was pricey and uneventful, but went fairly well with the stone crabs.

My best friends father was a fighter pilot, and became friends with another F4 Phantom pilot who went on to become the supplier for Joe's Stone Crabs on South Beach. He always allows my buddy's dad to go in and cherry pick the nicest claws BEFORE they go to Joe's. For those who don't know, eating at Joe's is an event you'll never forget.

Well, I guess it would be hard for ANY wine to screw up these stone crab claws, but I ended up opening a few bottles of Puligny Montrachet and Cloudy Bay S.B., so all turned out well.