2019 Wood Family Vineyards Para Mas Amigas Chardonnay – A New Twist
The Wine
A regular for summer time crowds is Wood Family Vineyards 2019 “Para Mas Amigas”, means “for more girlfriends”. This was not on purpose, but some rusty Spanish made it thus! She was trying to say “for my girlfriends”. She has made many friends, of both sexes, all enjoying her Chardonnay. Rhonda Wood who for three years in a row has won either a Double Gold Medal, Best of Class, Gold Medal from the SF Chronicle Wine Competition and who knows how many other accolades, recently release her 2019 Chardonnay.
On the eyes a deep golden color and medium heavy viscosity. On the nose green apple, toasted almonds and soft lemon fragrance. This wine, different from her iconic past phrase of previous vintages of “crackerjack flavors” this added a citrus note. The finish was long and with complex layers of intrigue. This Chardonnay has many of the familiar characteristics of previous years. The wine has lingering tropical fruits, with peach and pear on the palate. In a recent conversation, Rhonda stated she blended her Chardonnay from both “tightly grained barrels and loosely grained barrels” into the final production wine. For the 2019 Chardonnay, she incorporated a higher mix of new French oak barrels, which imparted a new twist on an already exquisite wine. A little bit less “buttery” but the same big mouthful feel/texture and imparting some mild “Sauvignon Blanc type” lemon citrus for enjoyment. The previous three years this wine made “The Best of the Year” on my annual report. Destined to win many more awards in the coming months.
The Food and Wine Pairing
A meal this week consisted of a lemon chicken Piccata breaded in Panko, cooked in white wine, butter, lemon juice and capers. Served with just a small amount of fresh squeezed lemon juice on top of the chicken and on a bed of lemon slices. Accompanied by a mixture of brown long and short grain rice and sautéed asparagus. The wine with its “Sauvignon Blanc” characteristics matched up fabulously with the lemon and butter on the prepared chicken.
Conclusion
Admittedly I was a little hesitant with Rhonda’s 2019 as it departed just a bit from her consistent award winning Chardonnays for the last 3 years. That stated, I believe this wine with its“ new characteristics” will enhance even more food pairings. Looking forward to the next meal with this Chardonnay.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 