Awards and Reviews
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate | Wine Spectator Reviews | Connoisseur's Guide
| Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
Bill Hunter is a bigger-than-life guy working out of a low-tech warehouse producing hand-crafted, small lot wines in a French style. Production appears to have leveled off between 2,500 and 2,800 cases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Virtually all of his vineyards are on the western fringes of the Russian River Valley where it segues into the Sonoma Coast appellation. Hunter calls it the West County triangle area, between Sebastopol, Freestone, and Occidental. Hunter’s winemaking philosophy demands the gentlest handling possible, with the wines moved by either Argon gas (the non-bruising neutral gas) or gravity, fermented in tiny lots, and bottled in most cases without any fining or filtration. Chasseur is definitely a reference point for consumers looking for the highest quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from northern California. These are all very impressive wines that merit serious attention. Moreover, their prices are reasonable for the quality level. Chasseur’s Pinot Noirs are fermented in tiny, one-ton fermenters with some whole clusters (stems) used. - Robert Parker - Wine Advocate: #187. February 2010
2007 Chasseur Lorenzo Chardonnay – 95 Points
Another stunning effort is the 2007 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard, which comes from an old Wente clone planted in the early seventies. Orange blossom, nectarine, citrus oil, and white peach notes along with abundant minerality and flesh characteristics emerge from this expressive, exotic white. Full-bodied with elegance, crisp acids, and a large, broad, expansive mouthfeel, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 5-8 years. All of these Chardonnays see about 60% new French oak.
2007 Chasseur Durell Chardonnay – 94 Points
The 2007 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard reveals a honeyed, flinty character with lots of citrus, pit fruits, and a striking minerality. With a vivid fruit character, full-bodied power, and terrific freshness, texture, and length, it should evolve for 7-8+ years. All of these Chardonnays see about 60% new French oak.
2007 Chasseur Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill Chardonnay – 92 Points
The 2007 Chardonnay Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill, made from an old Wente clone, exhibits abundant notes of brioche, lemon, citrus oil, poached pears, and honeysuckle as well as subtle spicy oak, and elegant, crisp acids buttressing a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated wine displaying freshness as well as vigor. It should drink nicely for 4-5 years or longer. All of these Chardonnays see about 60% new French oak.
2007 Chasseur Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 89 Points
Chasseur’s generic offering, the 2007 Chardonnay Russian River reveals lots of tropical fruits (especially pineapple) in a medium to full-bodied, broad, flavorful style. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. All of these Chardonnays see about 60% new French oak.
2007 Chasseur Sonoma County Chardonnay – 92 Points
The beautiful 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma County exhibits more flesh along with full body, plenty of honeysuckle, citrus oil, and pineapple characteristics, and an alluring texture. Drink this over the next 4-5 years. All of these Chardonnays see about 60% new French oak.
2007 Chasseur Rayhill Pinot Noir – 96 Points
The prodigious 2007 Pinot Noir Rayhill offers an exceptional combination of boysenberry, plum, black cherry, and forest floor characteristics along with full-bodied, powerful flavors as well as great precision, purity, and texture. A beauty of both power and elegance, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.
2007 Chasseur Umino Pinot Noir – 96 Points
The stunning, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Pinot Noir Umino boasts a blueberry, black cherry, raspberry, rose petal, and wild strawberry-filled bouquet. Full-bodied with fabulous concentration, a sexy melange of spices and fruit, and a broad, savory palate, this gorgeous Pinot should drink well for 5-7 years.
2007 Chasseur Sylvia’s Pinot Noir – 94+ Points
From a tiny, one-acre parcel, the 2007 Pinot Noir Sylvia’s Vineyard is a dense, backward effort revealing notes of dried flowers, pomegranates, black raspberries, cherries, and hints of pepper and spice. This “locked and loaded” Pinot is more closed than the Sexton or the Rayhill, but is very promising. Full-bodied and rich, it begs for 1-2 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 5-8 years thereafter.
2007 Chasseur Sexton Pinot Noir – 94 Points
The 2007 Pinot Noir Sexton Vineyard’s dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of sweet plums, black cherries, and Asian spices. Deep and full-bodied with a sensational texture, light tannins, and the distinctive forest floor and floral notes of high-class Pinot Noir, this attractive wine should evolve easily for 5-8 years.
2007 Chasseur Blank Pinot Noir – 94 Points
The 2007 Pinot Noir Blank displays an opaque ruby/purple color, a hint of background oak, and blueberry and cherry aromas. Concentrated, dense, and intense with hints of spice box as well as high-class cigar tobacco, this big, rich, somewhat backward, but beautiful wine (from Dijon clones 777 and 115) will benefit from another year or so of bottle age, and drink well for 7-10 years.
2007 Chasseur Freestone Station Pinot Noir – 93 Points
The string of brilliant wines from Bill Hunter continues with his 2007 Pinot Noir Freestone Station. A lush, sexy, seductive wine, it exhibits abundant notes of raspberries, wild strawberries, exotic flowers, and Chinese black tea in its aromatic, upfront personality. Broad, full-bodied, plush, and the most lush, succulent of these Pinots, it is irresistible at this stage of its evolution. It should continue to drink well for another 4-5 years.
2007 Chasseur Joyce Pinot Noir – 92+
The single vineyard Pinot Noirs include the limited production 2007 Pinot Noir Joyce, which comes from a tiny 3-acre block with yields averaging one ton of fruit per acre. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by copious aromas of kirsch, raspberry liqueur, plums, and earth. This spicy, medium to full-bodied, tightly-knit Pinot possesses impressive intensity, richness, acidity, and length. Cellar it for another year, and enjoy it over the following 7-8.
2007 Chasseur Holder Pinot Noir – 92 Points
The 2007 Pinot Noir Holder Vineyard plays it closer to the vest. One of the least evolved of these offerings, it reveals notes of cola, black and red cherries, raspberries, spice box, and pomegranate in a tightly wrapped, medium to full-bodied style. With good acidity, more noticeable tannin, and a firmer edge than its siblings, it will benefit from another year of bottle age, and should last for 7-8 years.
2007 Chasseur Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 92 Points
The 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast boasts a dark ruby color along with a big, sweet bouquet of raspberries, black cherries, spice, and hints of earth, pepper, and forest floor. A candied, fleshy style leads to a full-bodied, broad wine revealing beautiful purity, texture, and length. It, too, should drink well for 4-5 years.
2007 Chasseur Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 92 Points
Abundant notes of pomegranate, plum, black cherry, and cola emerge from the 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River along with a juicy, succulent mouthfeel. Of these first three Pinots, it is the most fruit-forward and spicy. Consume this sexy, full-bodied offering over the next 4-5 years.
2007 Chasseur Sonoma County Pinot Noir – 90 Points
The medium to full-bodied 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma County (all whole clusters) exhibits a dark ruby color followed by a fine nose of wild strawberries, sweet cherries, a complex floral character, spice, and a certain earthiness. Consume it over the next 4-5 years.
95 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill 2007
A mouthful of Chardonnay. Bold and richly flavored, with a mix of exotic tropical fruit, pineapple and grapefruit, with a buttery texture and aftertaste. Despite its size, this is extremely well balanced and elegant, ending with a delicate mix of mineral and dried apricot. Drink now through 2014. 234 cases produced. —J.L.
93 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Russian River Valley Lorenzo 2007
Strikes a wonderful balance between ripe, rich, vibrant apple, pear and melon fruit and light toasty oak. Full-bodied, persistent, elegant and delicate. Drink now through 2013. 278 cases produced. —J.L.
91 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2007
Complex aromas of citrus, sour pineapple and nectarine give this a distinctive flavor profile. Full-bodied, rich and focused, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2012. 349 cases produced. —J.L.
91 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Sonoma County 2007
Ripe, rich and creamy, with fresh, vibrant, concentrated green apple, citrus and baked apple pie flavors that are full-bodied, focused and persistent. Drink now through 2013. 586 cases produced. —J.L.
90 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Russian River Valley Rued 2007
Intense and vibrant, full-bodied and rich in flavor, with ripe apple, pineapple and butterscotch notes. Still a bit raw and pithy on the palate, but ends with a lively finish. Drink now through 2013. 187 cases produced. —J.L.
96 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Rayhill 2007
Amazing for its richness, depth and complexity, this is ripe and juicy, with intense blueberry, wild berry, raspberry, plum and spice flavors. Full-bodied and complex, offering excellent depth and focus. Ends with a delicate note and ripe, fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2013. 111 cases made. —J.L.
95 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Blank 2007
Pure, ripe, vivid wild berry and blackberry fruit is intense, concentrated and complex, with great fruit definition, gaining depth and dimension on the long, persistent finish. Ends with grainy tannins. Drink now through 2013. 284 cases made. —J.L.
94 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Freestone Station 2007
Fresh, clean and lively, with firm, vibrant raspberry, blueberry and blackberry fruit that has a nice floral and anise edge, gaining depth, richness and complexity on the long, full-bodied finish. Ends with a great minerality. Drink now through 2013. 295 cases made. —J.L.
93 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sexton 2007
Ripe, complex and spicy, this is full-bodied and even delicate, with vibrant wild berry and raspberry fruit that's intense, balanced, full-bodied and framed by firm tannins, ending with a loamy earth and anise edge. Drink now through 2013. 198 cases made. —J.L.
93 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Holder 2007
Ripe and fleshy, with lively plum, black cherry and wild berry notes that are supple, balanced, full-bodied and, at points, delicate, gaining a pleasant minerally, earthy edge and ending with fine depth and complexity. Drink now through 2013. 136 cases made. —J.L.
92 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sylvia's 2007
Fresh, vibrant and complex, with vivid anise, raspberry and blackberry fruit that's crisp and refreshing, ending with a long, detailed, elegant finish. Drink now through 2013. 76 cases made. —J.L.
92 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Joyce 2007
Smooth, with ripe, fleshy plum and blueberry fruit that's supple, focused, elegant and delicate, unfolding to reveal subtle flavor nuances. Drink now through 2013. 111 cases made. —J.L.
91 Points - CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007
Ripe and intense, this is focused on loamy earth, dried currant, anise, sage and mineral flavors. Concentrated, gaining depth and complexity. Ends with the same core flavor themes. Drink now through 2013. 856 cases made. —J.L.
2007 Chasseur Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard Russian River Valley – 94 POINTS
Pale yellow. Intense iodine and mineral scents add urgency to ripe pear and apple on the nose, with a sexy floral note building in the glass. Stains the palate with deep, powerful citrus and orchard fruit flavors and shows a strong iodine quality. This is about minerality as much as fruit. The finish leaves nervy mineral and lemon/lime notes behind, eventually. I couldn't get this off my palate.
Pale yellow. Intense iodine and mineral scents add urgency to ripe pear and apple on the nose, with a sexy floral note building in the glass. Stains the palate with deep, powerful citrus and orchard fruit flavors and shows a strong iodine quality. This is about minerality as much as fruit. The finish leaves nervy mineral and lemon/lime notes behind, eventually. I couldn't get this off my palate.
2007 Chasseur Chardonnay Durell Vineyard Sonoma Valley – 93 POINTS
Light greenish-yellow. The expansive, strongly scented nose offers an array of citrus and orchard fruits, with exotic floral and mineral qualities gaining strength with air. Shows fatter melon and papaya on the palate, with a zestier citrus quality emerging with air. A suave honeysuckle note lingers on the long, sappy finish. As alluring as this is today, the strong mineral character bodes well for cellaring.
Light greenish-yellow. The expansive, strongly scented nose offers an array of citrus and orchard fruits, with exotic floral and mineral qualities gaining strength with air. Shows fatter melon and papaya on the palate, with a zestier citrus quality emerging with air. A suave honeysuckle note lingers on the long, sappy finish. As alluring as this is today, the strong mineral character bodes well for cellaring.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Sexton Russian River Valley – 93 POINTS
Dark red. Flamboyant black raspberry, incense and potpourri on the nose. Compellingly sweet and incisive, offering fresh red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and strong back-end minerality. A deeper note of cola arrives on the finish, which is broad, focused and very long.
Dark red. Flamboyant black raspberry, incense and potpourri on the nose. Compellingly sweet and incisive, offering fresh red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and strong back-end minerality. A deeper note of cola arrives on the finish, which is broad, focused and very long.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Joyce Sonoma Coast – 93 POINTS
Bright red. Exotic aromas of red berry preserves, spicecake, minerals and rose; smells like a high-end Vosne. Fleshy and seductively smooth in texture, with deep, gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and a late note of candied flowers. The spicy quality returns on the finish, which is strikingly pure and very long.
Bright red. Exotic aromas of red berry preserves, spicecake, minerals and rose; smells like a high-end Vosne. Fleshy and seductively smooth in texture, with deep, gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and a late note of candied flowers. The spicy quality returns on the finish, which is strikingly pure and very long.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Blank Russian River Valley – 93 POINTS
Full, bright red. Black raspberry, patchouli and cola on the nose. A sexy floral quality comes up with air and carries onto the palate, complicating the sweet dark berry and floral flavors. Becomes richer with air but maintains energy, finishing with succulent red berry preserve and floral notes and outstanding persistence. This is delicious right now.
Full, bright red. Black raspberry, patchouli and cola on the nose. A sexy floral quality comes up with air and carries onto the palate, complicating the sweet dark berry and floral flavors. Becomes richer with air but maintains energy, finishing with succulent red berry preserve and floral notes and outstanding persistence. This is delicious right now.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Holder Russian River Valley – 93 POINTS
Bright red. Mineral-driven red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by fresh rose and Asian spices. Nervy red fruit flavors are strikingly pure and focused, with an exotic candied floral quality gaining power with air. Very sexy wine, with excellent finishing lift and sappy persistence.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Sylvia's Russian River Valley – 92(+?) POINTS
Vivid red. Initially restrained nose opens quickly to display lively strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb aromas. Tight, finely etched red fruit flavors are alluringly sweet and pure, with a snap of minerals adding urgency. Impressively energetic pinot with excellent finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. Decant this one.
Vivid red. Initially restrained nose opens quickly to display lively strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb aromas. Tight, finely etched red fruit flavors are alluringly sweet and pure, with a snap of minerals adding urgency. Impressively energetic pinot with excellent finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. Decant this one.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Freestone Station Russian River Valley – 92(+?) POINTS
Bright red. Youthfully restrained aromas of redcurrant and wild strawberry, with a strong mineral underpinning. Racy and finely etched, with lively red berry flavors and a bite of bitter cherry skin. The mineral quality builds with air and carries through the long, nervy finish. This will benefit from patience.
Bright red. Youthfully restrained aromas of redcurrant and wild strawberry, with a strong mineral underpinning. Racy and finely etched, with lively red berry flavors and a bite of bitter cherry skin. The mineral quality builds with air and carries through the long, nervy finish. This will benefit from patience.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – 92 POINTS
Bright red. Intensely perfumed bouquet of red berries, Asian spices, rose and minerals. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors are braced by tangy minerals and given an exotic touch by a note of candied flowers. Becomes spicier and more mineral-driven on the finish, which is strikingly precise and very persistent.
Bright red. Intensely perfumed bouquet of red berries, Asian spices, rose and minerals. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors are braced by tangy minerals and given an exotic touch by a note of candied flowers. Becomes spicier and more mineral-driven on the finish, which is strikingly precise and very persistent.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Umino Russian River Valley – 92 POINTS
Deep red. Strawberry, raspberry and spicecake scents are impressively pure and expansive. Open-knit red berry flavors display liqueur-like depth and are framed by silky tannins. Juicy and focused on the finish, which repeats the sweet red fruit notes and clings tenaciously.
Deep red. Strawberry, raspberry and spicecake scents are impressively pure and expansive. Open-knit red berry flavors display liqueur-like depth and are framed by silky tannins. Juicy and focused on the finish, which repeats the sweet red fruit notes and clings tenaciously.
2007 Chasseur Chardonnay Russian River Valley – 91 POINTS
Light, bright yellow. Very fresh aromas of lime, lemongrass and salty minerals. Tangy and pure, offering vivid citrus and green apple flavors with excellent back-end cut and thrust. Turns spicier on the finish, which strongly echoes the mineral and lime notes. This will reward patience.
Light, bright yellow. Very fresh aromas of lime, lemongrass and salty minerals. Tangy and pure, offering vivid citrus and green apple flavors with excellent back-end cut and thrust. Turns spicier on the finish, which strongly echoes the mineral and lime notes. This will reward patience.
2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – 91 POINTS
Vivid red. Highly expressive aromas of strawberry, raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices. Racy and pure, offering sweet red berry and candied rose flavors, with fine-grained tannins adding support. Gains power with air and finishes with very persistent red fruit notes. This is already delicious but balanced to age.
Vivid red. Highly expressive aromas of strawberry, raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices. Racy and pure, offering sweet red berry and candied rose flavors, with fine-grained tannins adding support. Gains power with air and finishes with very persistent red fruit notes. This is already delicious but balanced to age.
2007 Chasseur Chardonnay Sonoma County – 90 POINTS
Bright yellow. Intensely perfumed bouquet of Meyer lemon, apple, smoky minerals and white pepper. Lively orange zest and pear flavors are braced by a refreshingly bitter citrus pith quality. Nervier than the RRV, with very good finishing clarity and cut.
Bright yellow. Intensely perfumed bouquet of Meyer lemon, apple, smoky minerals and white pepper. Lively orange zest and pear flavors are braced by a refreshingly bitter citrus pith quality. Nervier than the RRV, with very good finishing clarity and cut.
*** 96 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Freestone Station Russian River Valley 2007
Grabbing top honors among Chasseur's very impressive line-up of Pinots in 2007, the Freestone Station bottling is an altogether show-stopping wine that is at once rife with precise, wonderfully deep, ripe-cherry fruit and made even more attractive by its layering of sweet oak and spice. It is a big wine to be sure, but it exhibits superb balance and uncommon polish that serves as a high standard for all comers, and, while a delicious and wholly involving effort even now, it can only get better with age. And, here again, we see convincing evidence of the potential for the Freestone area.
Grabbing top honors among Chasseur's very impressive line-up of Pinots in 2007, the Freestone Station bottling is an altogether show-stopping wine that is at once rife with precise, wonderfully deep, ripe-cherry fruit and made even more attractive by its layering of sweet oak and spice. It is a big wine to be sure, but it exhibits superb balance and uncommon polish that serves as a high standard for all comers, and, while a delicious and wholly involving effort even now, it can only get better with age. And, here again, we see convincing evidence of the potential for the Freestone area.
** 94 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Sylvia's Russian River Valley 2007
Picking a favorite from such an impressive contingent of Pinots as that offered up by Chasseur is a never an easy task, but fans of especially rich, highly ripened wines should not overlook this one. Nothing less than voluptuous, it is as finely balanced as any and stands as a fine expression of pure Pinot fruit with overtones of raspberries and violets and a sweetening splash of caramel. It is brightened by a keen streak of fine fruity acid, and it is built to keep for five or more years.
** 93 PointsCHASSEUR Pinot Noir Joyce Sonoma Coast 2007
A good case in point as far as proving the legitimacy of terrain and terroir as important vinous influences, this Sonoma Coast bottling strikes a slightly different stance than its mates with a slightly tighter feel on the palate and good structure behind its very pretty face. It smacks of cinnamon and sweet cherries with wisps of caramel off to the side, and it shows a nice sprinkling of hardwood spice to its lengthy, comparatively firm finish. It is a wine best ignored in the near term, and it will pay dividends aplenty with five years of age.
** 91 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Blank Russian River Valley 2007
Wonderfully precise and focused on very pure, black cherry fruit with notes of creamy, rich oak boosting its overall richness, this weighty Pinot edges to ripeness but stays in balance with lifting acids coming on at the end. Very long, very deep and very alive, it is still a touch tight at the finish, but its prospects for better with age are as sure as sure gets, and it looks good to go for at least another five or six years.
** 91 PointsCHASSEUR Pinot Noir Umino Russian River Valley 2007
In all truth, this gutsy young wine strikes us as taking at least a slight bow in the direction of its well-ripened cousins from the Santa Lucia Highlands, yet for all of its deep fruit, richness and very palpable flesh, it tempers its swagger with an unexpected touch of finesse. Its fine spine of evident young tannins is not out of line for a wine of its richness and weight, and its finishing astringency presents no concerns when measured against the persistent and plentiful fruit that is certain to keep it on course for years to come.
** 91 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Holder Russian River Valley 2007
With its intense aromas of cherries, raspberry preserves, vanilla, dried violets and dusty earth leading the way, this bottling pulls back just a bit on the palate with firming acids compressing its deep, but youthfully tight flavors. There is no question but that age is needed, and, given a few years in which to unfold, this one is destined to join its very handsome 2007 siblings at the head of the varietal class.
* 90 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Sexton Russian River Valley 2007
Sweet and extracted in scent with a wealth of ripe cherries set against glimmers of spice and dark chocolate, this somewhat muscular wine is at once both fleshy and firm with a slight acid bite coming on at the finish. It wants a few years to smooth out its rough spots, and it has the depth and richness required to make the grade with ease.
* 88 Points CHASSEUR Pinot Noir Rayhill Russian River Valley 2007
On the surface, this wine seems slightly softer and a little more forward in character than its mates. It teams nicely defined fruit with a bit of dried brush in the nose, and its rounded flavors of cherries and milk chocolate are just a touch frontal in manner. Its seeming accessibility is countered by a bit of emerging acid-pushed tannins, and, in the end, it lacks the seamless continuity of Chasseur's top wines.
*** 95 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill 2007
If not the most complex of the new Chasseur Chardonnays, yet certainly competing for that exalted title, it is also a wine with plenty of zesty fruit, this time with a fairly round palatal feel complete with plenty of oily glycerin and more than enough supportive acidity to complete the balanced picture. Its stunning combination of depth, balance and richness continues all the way to the end, and if it drifts a touch more towards the big and dramatic than some of its mates, it never loses faith with expected Chasseur classiness.
*** 95 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Russian River Valley Lorenzo 2007
No shrinking violet by any means, "Lorenzo" nonetheless leans to a slightly more refined end of the spectrum while still offering all of the great depth of fruit and richness common to this lovely group of wines. Its creme brulee, lemon custard, leesy, ripe pear personality is both mouthfilling and balanced, and the acid that rises perceptibly in the latter palate is nothing more than the bit of bracing vitality that pulls this picture together. It is very good now, but it will achieve real grandeur if allowed to grow with a few years of cellaring.
** 93 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Russian River Valley Rued 2007
Chasseur's Rued bottling is nothing if not ripe, but ripeness does not rule the "ruest" here because this is a wine built with high vitality and fresh fruit energy as its main and overriding themes. It is deep yet still nascent in character with a supple, oily feel at entry and a wealth of underlying acidity that speaks directly to its cool climate provenance. Like the Lorenzo bottling, it is one that will reward your patience.
** 93 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Sonoma Valley Durell 2007
Joining the parade with a rich, creamy, vanilla/lemon creme top note and plenty of fruity vitality underneath, this wine is a fine amalgam of ripeness and richness with its own sense of boldness and crafting played off against each other. Pulpy and deep, with both sweet and quietly candied nuances yet nothing out of line at any point, this one comes closer to the Green Acres Hill edition in personality than to Lorenzo or Rued while still solidly in the familial embrace.
* 90 Points - CHASSEUR Chardonnay Sonoma County 2007
84% Russian River Valley; 16% Sonoma Coast. The suggested pricing of this wine relative to the other Chasseur bottlings would seem to indicate that the winery sees less to like in it. We, on the other hand, find it a great value for fans of Mr. Hunter's wines, and heartily recommend it to you for its attractive blending of ripe appley fruit, caramelly oak, roasted grain complexities and its somewhere more open, drink-me-now presence on the palate. Not every Chardonnay has to be able to age half a decade to be thoroughly enjoyable.
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