Varietal: Â Chardonnay
Region: Â California – USA
Cost: Â $10 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Â Get in the mood with aromas of lemon zest, honeysuckle, and hints of toasty oak that are beautifully set off by flavors of citrus, orchard-fresh green apples, pears, and creamy marshmallows. This medium-bodied wine delights with light tannins balanced by good acidity. Enjoy its rich, juicy finish. Fake a power outage and enjoy this wine by candlelight, a decadent triple-cream cheeseor chicken sauteed in white wine.
My Review: Â You ever sip on a wine and are convinced that it’s got more than they’re advertising is in it? Well if you haven’t yet, drink enough wine and trust me, that moment will come. I’ve certainly had it several times, and, most recently, while sipping on the 2012 Chardonnay from Belle Ambiance.
Part of a three-pack that arrived at my house a couple weeks back, I’d tried the Pinot Grigio last week and decided to give the Chardonnay a try over the weekend while relaxing at home with my wife. In the glass the wine was a light yellow, and on the nose I picked up honeysuckle more than anything else. In the mouth pears and marshmallow combined for a wine that featured the notes I was expecting from Chardonnay that had seen oak – citrus balanced with creaminess, but ended with a sweetness that I wasn’t expecting.
The tasting notes for this wine claim that it’s just got Chardonnay in it. I even tried emailing the folks over at Belle Ambiance to see if they could confirm that it is, in fact, 100% Chardonnay. If they say it is, I’ll take their word at it, but if put to a blind test, I’d be convinced there was something else in the wine that contributed to the bit of sweetness in the wine.
All that being said, the wine wasn’t terrible – we paired it with a brie and sun dried tomato fondue that my wife found a recipe for online (see: Pinterest). It wasn’t terrible…but I have to admit that, surprisingly, I enjoyed the Pinot Grigio from the previous week better. I just felt like I fould find a Chardonnay that fit my, and my wife’s taste, better for the price point.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
