Chardonnay, 1982. Coastal Wines Ltd.| Vintage Wine History and Information

CHARDONNAY. 1982 – COASTAL WINES LTD.
by Paul Kalemkiarian Sr | July 1983

The negociant concept is not common to the United States wine market. It is very widespread in Europe. In fact, the growth of the wine industry in countries like France and Germany can be credited in many respects to the marketing skill of the negociants rather than the producers.

J. Patrick Dore is a California negociant. He does not grow any grapes! He does not make any wine! He just goes around and tastes bulk samples of wine. When he finds one that pleases him and his two associates, he negotiates for it. If a deal is made, he has the wine bottled under his label, and he markets it through wholesalers and brokers.

The concept fills a need that exists with small produc­ers who do not have the exper­tise or capital to market their own wine. Larger produc­ers find an outlet for excess bulk wine by offering it to negociants. From the consum­er’s point of view, the discriminating palate of the negociant is his important skill. From what I have seen so far, Pat has a good palate. He should. He has been doing this for 17 years in one form or another.

Coastal Wines, Ltd. is a marketing company in which Pat Dore is a partner of. The wines he offers under the negociant label are designated Signature Selections. The price of these wines can be from half to two-thirds less than wines of like vintage, appellation and grape variety.

Chardonnay is one of the four noble grapes (the others are Johannisberg Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir). Why noble? Because their vines are shy producers, and their wines have ageing capabilities of developing complexities. That is my interpretation of the word noble pertaining to wine. Chardonnay’s pedigree is French. It is immortal for its fame as the white grape of the Burgundy and Champagne regions.

California winemakers have excelled in their wine making with the chardonnay grape. They have equaled and bettered the classical French wines at wine judgings in Europe and the U.S.A.

Chardonnay is basically meal wine, dry and assertive, with an apple character. It is very receptive to oak ageing, and will develop complexities and nuances of flavors that are truly remarkable. It makes excellent accompaniment for all fare from the sea.

Our chardonnay is golden yellow in color. It has a fruity, deep, characteristic aroma of the variety. The bouquet is penetrating and lingering. The taste is fruity, yet reserved. It has a full body, with good acid balance. It has a textbook flavor of chardonnay. The style is towards the mature grape type, rather than the crisp type. Serve chilled with cream sauce seafood dishes, roast birds.

Cellaring Notes: Will develop some complexities for 2 years at the most. Not for ageing longer.