Chardonnay aficionados will enjoy this easy-to-like white for its value price and its availability. It opens with friendly apple and pear aromas and flavors that are nicely offset by lemon and tropical notes. Hints of vanilla and spice linger on the finish thanks to 60 percent barrel fermentation in French and American oak, 40 percent cold fermented in stainless steel. The fruit was sourced from the finest appellations in Sonoma: Russian River, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast. It’s a good choice with crab, white fish with beurre blanc, or roasted poultry. Widely available, it’s a bargain on sale right now at $10.99 retail at BevMo!
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2011.