Bella Grace 2018 Reserve Chardonnay
Wrote a story back in May as it was the first time I visited Bella Grace Winery. Being impressed with their 2018 Reserve Chardonnay on the visit, I purchased a bottle to review with food down the road. The visit and background on the winery and owners can be found at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/05/21/bella-grace-vineyards-finally-visited-last-weekend/
The Wine
Last evening it was pulled from the cellar for dinner. The 2018 Reserve Chardonnay. This was the wine which my friend Andy Harris had many posts on and I wanted to taste it with food. Sure enough Andy was spot on with his high praise of this wine. First a light golden color on the eyes and medium viscosity was tantalizing. I was pleasantly shocked that the grapes came from the Los Carneros region of Sonoma County AVA. On the nose, it was a combination of Old World meets New World Chardonnay, you had the lemony flavoring and brightness combined with the crispiness of the Old World. Yet while on the palate, honey and just a slight soft and sweet butter appeared showing its New World traits. Due to the fires in California this Chardonnay spent 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels, 50% in one year French barrels and 20% in stainless steel. This produced notes crème brûlée and lovely vanilla notes in the mouth and finish. 324 cases were produced and it sells for $36 a bottle. Now I wished I had purchased a few more bottles!
The Food and Wine Pairing
The dinner started with uncooked shrimp in a unsalted butter cream sauce with Bucatini pasta combined with fresh spinach and a light touch of Portuguese dried peppers. Topped with fresh Parmesan cheese. The butter with the wine was excellent and the lightness of the Chardonnay was a perfect with the shrimp and pasta.
This wine was a solid addition to the cellar and will coordinate a visit back to pick up some additional Chardonnay.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 