2009 Castle Rock Barrel Fermented Central Coast Chardonnay

In my last review of a Chardonnay, I said I might try something a little different next time. Well, I didn’t. I have another oaked California Chardonnay today. Oh well. (If you have any suggestions on other Chardonnay wines from other countries or other regions of the US, let me know in the comments.)

I selected this wine because I’ve had good wine (Pinot Noir) from Castle Rock in the past, so I thought it would be worth trying.

I decided this would pair nicely with chicken and vegetables with Alfredo sauce. The vegetables are a “California Blend,” so that should go well with a California wine, right? (No pasta or other starches tonight. I’m on a low glycemic load diet. Read more about it here.)

This wine is from the Central Coast of California, and it is barrel fermented. The grapes were harvested in September 2009, and the wine was bottled in March 2010.

It starts out with a fruity nose with a hint of floral aromas. There’s a bit of oak on the nose, too.

I’m getting pear, vanilla, butter, and tropical fruit (banana and pineapple) on the palate, along with some toast on the finish. Very well balanced and full-flavored.

This is really good, and it goes well with the chicken and Alfredo sauce. I’m giving this a “Very Good” rating. This normally sells for $10 here, and it is a very good value at that price.