100% Chardonnay from Bien Nacido Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, California.
SRP of $24 and available for as low as $19.99. Sample received courtesy Folsom PR for review purposes.
From the bottle:
"With our Unbridled wines we celebrate the grape's characteristics, only selecting outstanding vineyard blocks and the most flavorful barrels. Our Chardonnay comes from the acclaimed Bien Nacido Vineyard of Santa Maria Valley, where the cool Pacific Ocean helps to produce exceptional Chardonnay fruit. This irresistible wine offers aromas of crisp green apple, white peach and fresh baked pastries followed by flavors of lemon meringue, almond and creme brulee. A favorite to pair with scallops, sauteed shellfish and rosemary roasted chicken.
14.5% Alcohol"
Chardonnay is an interesting wine. The most popular grape in the U.S., yet also one that can be quite polarizing based on oak treatment. We delved into many different styles of Chardonnay in ourChardonnay Showdown series, but on taste alone I believe I might just have a new favorite -- today's wine.
The 2010 Wild Horse Unbridled Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyards Santa Maria Valley begins with an excellent fruity and creamy aroma of lemon custard, green apple, a little almond and a bit of yeast. Tasting the wine reveals flavors of green apple, pear, more lemon custard plus a really nice minerality, excellent acidity and a lively mouthfeel. This wine was aged in 100% French oak for several months, but this is the way to do it. The oak aging enhances everything about this wine instead of overpowering. It ends beautifully as well, with excellent flavors that linger for a long time and you really can't help but take another sip. Just a joy to drink.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 7.0
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