Ah, dear. Another California Chardonnay.
I'm kidding...after all, there is plenty of quality west coast Chard out there. Wines that can blow you away with their lovely integration of oak and fruit. Wines that can match that juicy lobster you've been salivating for, for what seems like days.
And Lauren's right about a few things: The Golden State is known for what seems like "safe" wines. But that's only the perception. To many, perception is reality, and the truth lies in the Chards that go for the jugular with their unabashed creaminess, often teeming with a sweetness nowhere to be found in the alter ego of Burgundy.
And so truly, 70s pop will throw down to the mom jeans. And so will the Cali Chard. I've got just one for you here, but hell, it's pretty fitting, considering the conversation:
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, 2006: 8.3
There's an awful lot to love about this wine, but there's plenty to get you bored.
For starters, it's not subtle. Sonoma-Cutrer is entirely a Chardonnay producer from Sonoma County, California. And they've inundated countless restaurants with this wine. And I see why it's went over so well. The creamy oak can't wait to get your pants off, and before you even get the juice in your mouth, you sense the butterball that's coming. Thankfully, there's some citrus vibes floating around.
And it holds true to form. No left-field shockers, no blemishes per se. There really is some enjoyable green apple, pear, and lemon notes. And the oak follows through, ever-present but thankfully not as dominant on the finish as I expected.
What stops this from being an exceptional wine is that there is no real complexity, no elegance, no verve.
But that's okay. It's simple in some ways, but the RRR has it's fans, and deservedly so. ($20-25)
-pairs with "Listen to the Music" by the Doobie Brothers.
-Justin
No comments:
Post a Comment