…Day 3 without internet connection…no, I’m not in a remote 3rd world country…haven’t left the ‘hood…No posts until Comcast gets their act together…in the
meantime, enjoy this cool pic of Paris that friends Troy & Deanne shared w/ me last night while enjoying a Pinot Pour-down…cheers!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Here’s an antidote for those over-oaked chardonnays mentioned in my previous post: a trio of crisp, refreshing ones, by price point:
1. Jones of Washington 2011 Chardonnay Wahluke Slope & Columbia Valley $15. Bright, lean boat or concert-picnic pleaser.
See my previous post on Jones of Washington here.
2. Eberle Winery Estate 2011 Chardonnay Paso Robles, CA $20. Lightly oaked, yet bright and clean enough to pass for stainless-steel fermented. A perfect summer BBQ pour.
See my previous article in Palate Press featuring Eberle Winery here.
3. Lachini Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay – Willamette Valley $40. Chablis-style chardonnay -12 months stainless-steel aged. The rich, rounded finish lends itself to grilled steak, creamy cheeses, and seafood. Worth savoring with those special out-of-town guests.
Disclaimer: While I have poured for Lachini’s Woodinville Tasting Room, it’s on this list because it’s a damn fine wine – not because of any perceived prejudices.
Bonus:
Forgeron Cellars 2011 Chardonnay- Columbia Valley WA $27: Smooth, neutral oak, lovingly tended malolactic fermentation gives this wine its old world elegance and discrete finish. Well worth pouring at patio or deck parties featuring grilled foods, pastas and salads.
See my previous post on Forgeron here.
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Copyrighted 2011-213. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to binNotes…I’ve been busy with a piece on Sonoma for Palate Press due out in June…however, a recent close encounter with a $40 Limited Edition 2009 Chardonnay brought me screaming back to the blogosphere.
Wait a minute, you may say. Didn’t binNotes decide to relegate her wine reviews to post-it notes on Pinterest in 2013? Yes…binNotes figures the wine world has enough throbbing egos slathering at the bit to obloviate on all things vineous.
However…after a long day of wordsmithing, a nice chilled glass of 2009 Limited Edition Chardonnay sounds like a refreshing dip in a cool pool after a sweltering day toiling in the fields.
Let me set the scene for you:
The bottle: heavy. The label: impressive. The cork: Clean. The clarity: good. The color: brassy. The wine: sound. The aroma: hmmm…hard to discern…it’s a bit…well..citrus? Maybe? The taste:…ok – forget taste confirming the aroma. It’s a complete oak bomb. Despite the winemaker’s assurance it’s been made in the ‘Burgundian’ style.
Maybe I’m being unduly harsh. After all…it is a $40 Limited Edition Chardonnay.
Let me consult the winemaker’s tasting note. On Youtube, I learn a few things:
1. The winemaker does not typically do chardonnay.
2. The winemaker made chardonnay at the request of wine members.
3. The grapes were sourced from a region not typically known for cool-weather varietals.
4. The grapes arrived ‘perhaps’ a bit riper than necessary.
5. While initial fermentation occured in concrete, the malolactic fermenation occured in 100% new French oak, with no batonage (stirring of lees) after the first 2 months.
The website tasting notes mention hints of carmel and butterscotch and lemon curd and puff pastry ‘…set against a background of graham crackers and hay.’
Graham crackers and hay? Really?
I never pegged graham crackers and hay as possible olfactory tasting mates…like, ever.
Notes of yak urine and cow manure tea with hints of toasted BS – perhaps. But graham crackers and hay – never.
So next time you feel intimidated at a tasting…just pull out the old ‘graham crackers and hay’ combo. Your tasting companions will be too intimidated to contradict you. And you can say you heard it from an expert. On Youtube
Bonus:
For those of you who missed this video earlier, here’s a cautionary tale about wine snobbery to help keep things in perspective…cheers!
Video: Courtesy http://www.boringwineguy.com
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Copyrighted 2011-2013. All Rights Reserved.
