Carabella, 'Dijon 76 Clone', Chardonnay, 2006
I have to admit upfront that we don't drink all that much white wine. Of course we drink a lot more wine that the average, so we likely drink more white wine that most as well. And frankly, Denise rarely likes drinking white wine. Sometimes, but not often. So what do we do? We have a dinner with nothing but white wines. This is the first of three reviews where we deliberately compared two Chardonnays, and then followed with a Riesling.
Up to bat first was this Oregon Chardonnay. The second wine is also a Chardonnay and also the same vintage -- 2006 -- and the same price point -- about $32. The difference being that the second was from California. We deliberately started with the Oregon Chardonnay because we figured it would be more Burgundian in style. So, how was it?
The nose was flowery and pear and lychee. Despite my early caveat, Denise just loved this wine. She described it as "gorgeous", and "rich, like an elegant woman", and it "smells and tastes like a great perfume".
The taste was a mix of pear and paper whites (narcissus). It starts like a honey few melon (just a hint of sweetness), then it transitions quickly. In the middle there's tangerine and guava (as it seems sweet, though not literally of course). The finish returns to the pear and flower flavors, and here it's not sweet in the least. And when I say that it seems sweet, I mean it's just a flash of fruit. Then that fruit continues, but in a very dry way (and then, mixed with those flowers).
Denise kept going, saying how complex is was, and mentioning that drinking it was like "smelling the neck of a woman". Goodness. And indeed it was interesting. There was just fruit everywhere, but not in a sweet way. Interesting and popular. Everyone really loved this wine ... and surprisingly, especially Denise!
Cost:
Rating:
9.5