This sophisticated Chardonnay from Susie Bynum is sure to please with aromas of fresh limes and pineapple that combine nicely with ripe, summer stone fruits, mostly apricots, all topped off with a squeeze of lemon. The lengthy finish is bright with a pleasant minerality and lively acidic tones throughout. A succulent Chardonnay that is well-balanced in its complexity.
The Vineyard
A small, easterly facing hillside vineyard located in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The vineyard has a mixture of blue shale and red clay and enjoys cool evenings, foggy mornings, and hot afternoon sun.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Harvest: September 2021
Alcohol: 13.2%
Cases Produced: 1250
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Case:
12x 2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $300/case MSRP
About The Winery
Susie Bynum Wines
Susie Bynum, a third-generation wine industry professional, is carrying on the legacy of her father, Davis Bynum, famed Russian River Pinot Noir pioneer. From early childhood, picking grapes in her grandfather’s vineyard in St. Helena, Susie worked closely with her dad and played an integral part in bringing the Davis Bynum brand to the level of respected notoriety it has enjoyed.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I just picked up my surprise rat box with this like an hour ago. Very little lead time so no funny story for you to read this time, but I should at least have some notes up in a few hours. Unless I end up drinking the whole thing again, in which case you might get the “weird uncle at Thanksgiving dinner” live experience.
I am so excited that this is an option today. Russian river chards have always been my favorites. Spending time in St. Helena, Calistoga, and Angwin, got the chance to taste so many things. But these grapes at that appellation. I am hoping for not too much oak, and not too buttery. But in for a case, just in case
End result great gifts.
Here: (On the main Write-up & on main page) >About The Winery Susie Bynum Wines
Susie Bynum, a third-generation wine industry professional, is carrying on the legacy of her father, David Bynum, famed Russian River Pinot Noir pioneer. From early childhood, picking grapes in her grandfather’s vineyard in St. Helena, Susie worked closely with her dad and played an integral part in bringing the Davis Bynum brand to the level of respected notoriety it has enjoyed.
On the Main Page:
>About Susie Bynum Wines: “Susie Bynum, a third-generation wine industry professional, is carrying on the legacy of her father, David Bynum, famed Russian River Pinot Noir pioneer. From early childhood, picking grapes
Hi, Liver! It’s so good to see you again. Let’s skip our usual formalities and dive right in. Tonight we have a very special treat: a rattage sample of Susie Bynum Chardonnay provided by our good friends at Casemates that we’re going to try, and hopefully be able to give our fine audience members some useful tasting notes.
Uh, excuse me, what are you doing?
Definitely an attractive bottle. The wine has a sort of greenish olive oil hue inside. There’s no foil, And the authentic cork comes out cleanly. Let’s pour out a glass and give it a little whiff, shall we?
We talked about this…
Very clean inside the complementary Casemates glass provided with the bottle. Has that faint, pale straw color you often see with wines of this type. There are legs, but they don’t linger at all. Hmm, am I detecting a hint of elderflower? Almost like that liquor that we like in our cocktails so much, eh Liver?
You said you wouldn’t do the 3 AM thing anymore. You promised.
Mmm, this one certainly is very crisp and mellow. None of those bitter notes that white wines often possess. No alcohol burn either. Definitely not the “melon rind” flavor profile one of the previous samples had. This one, I’d say, reminds me of pear, and with something citrusy there too. It is a little bit chalky, which really helps smooth out the overall flavor profile. It’s not super-dry, and has a bit of sweetness to it. Here, Liver, give it a sip, I think you’ll like it…
Thrrpth, GACK, get that away from me! Are you crazy? What the hell do you think you’re doing!?
Whoa there, don’t just go and spill it everywhere like that, you know we only have the one bottle.
That’s one bottle more than we need! Listen…
Mmm, yeah, it really is a smooth drinker, isn’t it? I could drink this all night.
That is most definitely out of the question. Don’t you rem…are you pouring a second glass?
Let’s see how it pairs with this piece of Camembert I have over here. Oh, oh yeah, that’s definitelty a good pairing. The wine really brings out those creamy, savory notes from the cheese. This is great!
Look, Dr. Johnson and I have been discussing your habits. We came to some important conclusions, and I think now is as good a time as any to let you know that…And you’re pouring yourself another glass.
Of course I am. This is delicious!
This is very important. I need you to stop what you’re doing right now and pay attention. This lifestyle of yours is unsustainable. Your wanton self-destruction is quickly reaching its terrible, logical conclusion. I mean, I’m at my wits’ end over here. Pancreas is struggling daily, barely able to hold on. And Brain? Brain has almost completely checked out by this point. You are rapidly running out of friends in this morbid ecosystem you call a body, and you won’t like where this road you’re taking leads you. Are you…Are you drinking straight from the bottle now!?
Oh, relax. You’re such worrywart. Here, have some of this wine, it will loosen you up a bit. Live a little, you know? It’s like 80% of your name after all, LOL. Come on Liver, let’s party! Wooo!
Okay, I warned you.
Argh!
I tried to be reasonable.
Hrnnk! Grah! YEEEOOOWCH!
He’ll be fine, folks, I think, but I’m afraid this fireside-whatever he called it is over. Please get your coats and be on your way. Unless you want to stay for the intervention, that is.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay - $50 = 27.77%
We’ve been under the weather, so this one is going to be a bit short and sweet. Especially compared to my fellow rat, who helped offset my brevity with some quality entertainment
Bottle arrived yesterday afternoon (Thanks Alice!) and the cold Midwest temperature had it nicely chilled coming off the UPS truck. We ordered sushi for dinner, so this chardonnay was a perfect companion.
Bottle is classy, high quality. Cork is real. Pleasant fruity smell to the cork once it came out.
Wine is pale yellow, straw color in the glass.
Nose is soft, pleasant and fruity, much like the cork. Apricot comes to mind.
First sip delivers the tastes expected from the smell. Our descriptors were fresh, fruity (apple, peach, apricot were the ones that came to mind), mineral. The wine has good depth and character. It’s a full mouthfeel and we enjoyed it on its own.
With the sushi, an excellent dance partner. Held up exceptionally well to the spice of wasabi and provided a good balance. This wine will do well with spicy food and as a pairing in general.
We like chardonnay and this is one we would enjoy. It’s not an oak bomb that some still come to expect from the varietal. It’s the style we prefer that is earthy, fruity and able to go alone or pair nicely.
@albish7@Leatherchair
As you mention fruity, would it be likely the ‘sweetness’ you speak of is primarily that of the fruit, and not residual unfermented sugars?
@albish7@Leatherchair@rjquillin As usual I will contribute some worthless information. Beverage Testing Institute aka tastings.com reviewed the 2020 version of this and noted the Sweetness as “dryish”, not dry. 2020
2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
The Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $300/case MSRP
About The Winery
Susie Bynum Wines
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Feb 13 - Monday, Feb 17
2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $129.99 $10.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I just picked up my surprise rat box with this like an hour ago. Very little lead time so no funny story for you to read this time, but I should at least have some notes up in a few hours. Unless I end up drinking the whole thing again, in which case you might get the “weird uncle at Thanksgiving dinner” live experience.
@ShotgunX i think I’ve been that “weird uncle” sometimes. But the nieces/nephews pretend to like me because they are hoping for a good inheritance.
I am so excited that this is an option today. Russian river chards have always been my favorites. Spending time in St. Helena, Calistoga, and Angwin, got the chance to taste so many things. But these grapes at that appellation. I am hoping for not too much oak, and not too buttery. But in for a case, just in case
End result great gifts.
Typo alert …
@MarkDaSpark
Where?
not here
@rjquillin
Here: (On the main Write-up & on main page)
>About The Winery
Susie Bynum Wines
Susie Bynum, a third-generation wine industry professional, is carrying on the legacy of her father, David Bynum, famed Russian River Pinot Noir pioneer. From early childhood, picking grapes in her grandfather’s vineyard in St. Helena, Susie worked closely with her dad and played an integral part in bringing the Davis Bynum brand to the level of respected notoriety it has enjoyed.
On the Main Page:
>About Susie Bynum Wines: “Susie Bynum, a third-generation wine industry professional, is carrying on the legacy of her father, David Bynum, famed Russian River Pinot Noir pioneer. From early childhood, picking grapes
And now, I present to you:
A 3 AM Fireside Soirée With my Liver
Hi, Liver! It’s so good to see you again. Let’s skip our usual formalities and dive right in. Tonight we have a very special treat: a rattage sample of Susie Bynum Chardonnay provided by our good friends at Casemates that we’re going to try, and hopefully be able to give our fine audience members some useful tasting notes.
Definitely an attractive bottle. The wine has a sort of greenish olive oil hue inside. There’s no foil, And the authentic cork comes out cleanly. Let’s pour out a glass and give it a little whiff, shall we?
Very clean inside the complementary Casemates glass provided with the bottle. Has that faint, pale straw color you often see with wines of this type. There are legs, but they don’t linger at all. Hmm, am I detecting a hint of elderflower? Almost like that liquor that we like in our cocktails so much, eh Liver?
Mmm, this one certainly is very crisp and mellow. None of those bitter notes that white wines often possess. No alcohol burn either. Definitely not the “melon rind” flavor profile one of the previous samples had. This one, I’d say, reminds me of pear, and with something citrusy there too. It is a little bit chalky, which really helps smooth out the overall flavor profile. It’s not super-dry, and has a bit of sweetness to it. Here, Liver, give it a sip, I think you’ll like it…
Whoa there, don’t just go and spill it everywhere like that, you know we only have the one bottle.
Mmm, yeah, it really is a smooth drinker, isn’t it? I could drink this all night.
Let’s see how it pairs with this piece of Camembert I have over here. Oh, oh yeah, that’s definitelty a good pairing. The wine really brings out those creamy, savory notes from the cheese. This is great!
Of course I am. This is delicious!
Oh, relax. You’re such worrywart. Here, have some of this wine, it will loosen you up a bit. Live a little, you know? It’s like 80% of your name after all, LOL. Come on Liver, let’s party! Wooo!
Argh!
Hrnnk! Grah! YEEEOOOWCH!
@ShotgunX that is an excellent 3AM saga/diatribe. It brings to mind this old Dire Straits song that I have been remembering recently.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Susie Bynum Chardonnay - $50 = 27.77%
We’ve been under the weather, so this one is going to be a bit short and sweet. Especially compared to my fellow rat, who helped offset my brevity with some quality entertainment
Bottle arrived yesterday afternoon (Thanks Alice!) and the cold Midwest temperature had it nicely chilled coming off the UPS truck. We ordered sushi for dinner, so this chardonnay was a perfect companion.
Bottle is classy, high quality. Cork is real. Pleasant fruity smell to the cork once it came out.
Wine is pale yellow, straw color in the glass.
Nose is soft, pleasant and fruity, much like the cork. Apricot comes to mind.
First sip delivers the tastes expected from the smell. Our descriptors were fresh, fruity (apple, peach, apricot were the ones that came to mind), mineral. The wine has good depth and character. It’s a full mouthfeel and we enjoyed it on its own.
With the sushi, an excellent dance partner. Held up exceptionally well to the spice of wasabi and provided a good balance. This wine will do well with spicy food and as a pairing in general.
We like chardonnay and this is one we would enjoy. It’s not an oak bomb that some still come to expect from the varietal. It’s the style we prefer that is earthy, fruity and able to go alone or pair nicely.
Enjoy!
@albish7 Thank you for the very solid write-up. Can you tell us if you consider this sweet at all? Thank you!
@Leatherchair Yes, there is some sweetness to it but that’s certainly not the lead act.
@albish7 @Leatherchair
As you mention fruity, would it be likely the ‘sweetness’ you speak of is primarily that of the fruit, and not residual unfermented sugars?
@Leatherchair @rjquillin I’d say a mixed bag. Some residual and fruit working in concert
@albish7 @rjquillin Thank you for clarifying!
@albish7 @Leatherchair @rjquillin As usual I will contribute some worthless information. Beverage Testing Institute aka tastings.com reviewed the 2020 version of this and noted the Sweetness as “dryish”, not dry.
2020
In for a case - thanks rats, seems like another one SWMBO will enjoy!
Thanks to the rats!
/giphy momentary-glaring-magic
@vaaccess Yes, thanks indeed!
/giphy wondrous-satisfied-celery
I don’t know if this thing is real but i want one …
@stolicat Sadly, it appears to only be an animation from here.
@stolicat Certainly keeping the ring from rotating would be a challenge with just one string (maybe two though …)
@stolicat agreed. I like the monstera, too!