2019 Wood Family Vineyards Chardonnay and – A Golden Wine
A regular for summer time crowds is Wood Family Vineyards 2019 “Para Mas Amigas”, means “for more girlfriends”. This was not on purpose, Rhonda Wood was trying to say “for my girlfriends” but some rusty Spanish made it thus! 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 released her 2019 Chardonnay. In March 2021, at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition she once again received Double Gold for this 2019 Chardonnay.
The Wine
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 vintages with “crackerjack flavors”, 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.
The Food & Wine Pairing
The Wood Family Vineyards 2019 Chardonnay was chosen for the meal due to the combination of sweetness and citrus in the dish, a sweet and sour Chinese chicken. Having the 2019 Wood Family Chardonnay was a solid food pairing drawing upon both the light sweetness and citrus characteristics of the wine. The wine was refreshing and symbiotic with the palate. Finding new ways to incorporate the 2019 Wood Family Chardonnay with unique dishes.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 