2007 Etude Chardonnay

Specs:

2007 Etude Chardonnay

Carneros Valley California

100% Chardonnay

13.4% Alcohol

http://www.etudewines.com/

$38.00

Notes:

To me this is one of the best Chardonnay's I've had in quite awhile. A friend brought this wine to a dinner and I was blown away by its flavor and smoothness. Etude is known mainly for their Pinot Noir however this Chard gives the Pinot's a run for their money. This wine is a combination of grapes fermented in New French Oak as well as Stainless Steel giving it an amazing balance. Not too buttery and not to acidic. Just the perfect marriage of flavors. The grapes are also closely taken care of and are harvested solely from their estate in Carneros.

At first glance this wine is a deep bright saturated yellow-gold. Primary scents I sense are citrus and oak. The oak is minimal but definitely present. It is a very fresh yet earthy wine with hints of greens and fruits such as peach, lime and lemon. All of these elements are usually what I look for in a Chardonnay. Numerous friends really do not prefer the buttery oakey chards I adore; yet still this is a wine we can all agree on. It is the perfect "meet in the middle" chard and a good introduction to the valleys offerings.

Since this wine is pretty mild as far as chardonnays go I feel it is perfect for pairing. Appetizers, main courses, desserts and on it's own on a warm day. It is AMAZING with a warm apple crisp or a freshly tossed salad.
This wine is shown on back order through the wineries website however it is quite easy to find at wine shops and other online venues.