McIlroy Cellars

One of those bottles to go hunting down. Isn’t wine drinking fun? Always a challenge.

1999 “Aquarius Ranch”
Russian River Valley Chardonnay
“Thanks Will”. That’s a shout out to the guy who brings us this savory Chard. He does a great job, and keeps us sitting here just captivated with his creation. It is one of the most deeply flavored Chards that we have come across in a while. Expressive, bold and unfortunately limited to 848 cases this vintage. Again, one of those bottles to go hunting down. Isn’t wine drinking fun? Always a challenge.

This bottle makes you happy, and after you drink it, it may find a spot in your collection of happy thoughts. Maybe right next to the one where you are rolling dice at the Mirage in Vegas. At that lucky second table on the left just after you enter the main room, you know the one. All dice are going your way, your chip stack is out of control and some honnies at the other end of the table are sending you drinks. O.K., maybe that is one of my happy thoughts, but you get the idea. Now you think of one. This Chard will make you smile just as much.


This Chard is medium to full-bodied and full of complexity that short-circuits your taste buds for just a moment. It seems to have everything going on with it that I love in a Chard. No matter where it is from. The citrus fruit is just the tip of the iceberg, because after that jumps in the vanilla and a real phenomenal butterscotch that has a honeyed aftertaste.

Light gold/yellow in color with floral and oak aromas arriving at the surface quickly. Not shy when it comes to the schnoz. The balance is perfect, acids bring some crispness into the full mouth feel and numerous flavors make taste bud #1 thru #5000 jump for joy.

It has nice depth and the toasted oak shows through the whole time but doesn’t take center stage. It is a role player and work so nicely here. The “Aquarius Ranch” vineyard was established by the McIlroy family in 1972 and takes its name from the fact that it is often several feet under water in the winter time when the Russian River floods. So if you come across a bottle definitely pick it up. You also will thank “Will” for his hard work when you finish off a bottle or two.

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