Monday, April 6, 2015

Sea Pines Russian River Valley Chardonnay

The Russian River Valley is known for its terrific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grapes that love the marine influence that rolls in up the river and the fog that typically envelopes the region until most decent folks are digesting their lunches.  Winemaker Chris Condos has great fruit with which to work, and it all works out very well in the Sea Pines Russian River Chardonnay 2013.

This wine was featured in a virtual tasting event sponsored by Whole Foods Markets late last year. The participants online were very complimentary of it during the Twitter tasting.

The tweets about this wine got started with @WFMwine, who volunteered that "Chard is America's fav white wine. Love the color here, nice pale gold, get some green apps and vanilla on nose." They continued,"lots going on w/ the palate here, richness of RR fruit but the balance is perfect. Well-crafted,elegant,loving this chard. Stylish!" The tasters in Dixie were enjoying it, according to @WFM_Louisiana: “Guests are really digging this chard!” @AshleyHawkins tweeted, “Love how well-balanced and buttery the Sea Pines is.”

This Chardonnay shows yellow gold in the glass, sends yellow peaches and yellow nectarines on the nose with vanilla and a slight toasty oak smoke note. The palate exhibits stone fruit with a honeyed layer to sweeten the deal. Oak notes sit between "just right" and "too much." Acidity is quite nice with a good tingle right into the finish. That oak lingers on the finish but it seems "just right" then. I think you could pair this with just about anything short of a ribeye and be happy. Seafood, cheese and soups are great candidates.


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