Apex Cellars was launched in 1988 with the joining of wine retailer and distributor Harry Alhadeff and winemaker Brian Carter.  The blending of Harry’s knowledge and experience in the wine business and Brian’s ability to combine the science and art of winemaking has allowed Apex Cellars to consistently produce  high quality wines.  Apex Cellars produces three brands of wines, Apex, Apex II and Bridgman.  The Apex brand represents their reserve-caliber wines.

Quality

Using our 20-point quality scale this 2007 Chardonnay scored quite well.

Sourced from Columbia Valley, this Chardonnay represents the hard work and excellent winemaking skills from Apex Cellars.  The 100% barrel fermentation, “sur-lie” aging in those same barrels, and 100% malolactic fermentation comes through when you taste this Chardonnay.  After popping the cork and pouring myself a glass I was met with a nice floral aroma and a bright yellow color.  The first sip revealed flavors of apple, pear and vanilla.  The wine was well balanced and had a nice long smooth finish that I enjoy very much.

This Chardonnay was an excellent complement to a meal of Shrimp Limone with pasta.  The fruit and vanilla flavors worked well with the shrimp’s sweetness and the subtle acidity helped cut the richness of the cream-based sauce.

Value

The value score provides a basic indicator of how good a value the wine is based upon its suggested retail price. The average price for the 2007 Apex Cellars Chardonnay is approximately $18.00.  I find this wine to be appropriately priced for its quality, thus earning it a value score of 100.

Final Score – 16:100

The 2007 Apex Chardonnay is another high quality wine from the folks of Apex Cellars.  I recommend you find a bottle or two.  You won’t be disappointed. Cheers!

]]> http://thewinecenturyclub.com/2010/01/21/apex-cellars-2007-chardonnay/feed/ 0 http://thewinecenturyclub.com/2009/10/20/buyer-beware-especially-in-bc/ http://thewinecenturyclub.com/2009/10/20/buyer-beware-especially-in-bc/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:12:03 +0000 admin http://thewinecenturyclub.com/?p=631 As consumers we all want to be told the truth, or least some reasonable facsimile of the truth, regarding the products and services we purchase.  Sit back for a couple of moments while I tell you a little tale about winemakers, government agencies and truth in advertising or in this case labeling. Imagine you are in your local wine shop or state run liquor store browsing for something different.  As you examine the wines on the well stocked shelves your just not sure what to buy.  You stop at a bottle with a striking label depicting a half naked vixen riding a Harley.  Our wine shop is definitely not in Alabama! Nah, the kids will ask too many questions.  What about something local you say to yourself.  So you make a selection from a display boasting that all the wines are local products.  Who doesn’t want to support local producers these days?  You take your bottle of wine, pay the storeowner and drive home to enjoy the wine at dinner. You’ve just been duped! What you don’t realize is that locally produced wine you purchased originated from another country entirely. What the hell?!  How can that be you ask?  Well this is exactly what has been happening in British Columbia, Canada.  I came across an article this morning by Gordon Hamilton of Canwest News Service that outlines this very practice.  It made me pause and wonder if this has been a common practice or a new trend.  Does it happen here in the US? The article outlines a practice where the three largest winemakers in Canada purchase “low-cost” wines from multiple locations outside Canada (California and Washington sourced wines are included) and re-label them as locally produced products of British Columbia.  Apparently all three producers had consulted with both federal and provincial government agencies before proceeding.  Amazing!! As someone who makes a living in sales I am completely stunned.  I’m not all that shocked at a producer trying to capitalize on the reputation of a region’s name with another product.  Whenever someone is trying to make money, none of us should be surprised by anything.  But the fact that government agencies would allow this to happen and not at least require some type of labeling letting the consumer know the origin of the wine, is, well, amazing to me. As my parents always told me – Buyer Beware!  Especially when your buying wines with naked women on the labels.