I think it’s time to put to bed the whole “Anything But Chardonnay” aka “ABC” crap. I am the first person to swear undying allegiance to Chablis and the Macon where the best (I mean the best) Chardonnays are born, bred, and raised. Oak is not the devil nor is California Chardonnay. This is not to say that I do not detest the hyper-oaked, super-malo, sugary trophy Chardonnays of California. There are reasonably priced Chardonnays with oak influence and decent acidity coming from California. Now are these my go-to, everyday whites that I spend my hard-earned cash on? The answer is: “No.” But right now I am enjoying a Monterey County Chard that I opened yesterday and is still pretty tasty. And, I hope you are sitting down, it’s a Gallo wine. You can hate on Gallo all you want, but they have some very choice vineyards and properties. I dare you to taste Louis Martini Lot 1 or the Monte Rosso Cab and not tip your cap.
So as a bridge between your French and California Chardonnay lovers, this is a respectable happy medium. Am I damning it with faint praise? Maybe a little. You be the judge.
2007 Bridlewood Monterey County Chardonnay
(Interesting to note it’s blended with 6.5% Viognier and 2.5% “Other White.”)