The 2012 Lander Jenkins Chardonnay is one of Rutherford Wine Companies brands of wine, they also produce Rutherford Ranch, Predator and Round Hill wines, among others. The grapes are sourced the Central Coast, the Central Valley and the North Coast, as well as Rutherford Wine Company estate vineyards (and long-term grower vineyards) in Napa, Monterey and Paso Robles. The 2012 vintage in central and northern California was one of the best in several years, with both an abundant harvest and excellent quality grapes. The alcohol content is 13%.
The color is a clear, clean, sunshine yellow. The nose is melon, lemon, ripe pear and a whiff of vanilla. This is a medium bodied, dry Chardonnay, creamy upfront with a tart citrus finish. It starts with pear, custard crème, lemon, lime and apple. The mid-palate adds tart grapefruit, the tasting notes mentioned butterscotch, and yup, there is a nice slap of butterscotch on the finish. The acidity gives this Chard some solid length. The finish is full and long.
The 2012 Lander Jenkins is a solid, modern California Chardonnay. The technical notes didn’t mention an oak program, but the vanilla on the nose and the butterscotch on the finish add a nice touch. Summer is ending and fall is coming fast and the firm body and the weight of the flavors of the Lander Jenkins fits in nicely with cool evening around the fire pit or a glass or two at your party during the local Harvest Festival.
