Tasting -- Bay Bridge & Bonterra Chardonnay

 Bay Bridge Chardonnay

Grape Variety: Chardonnay

Country & Region: United States, Central Valley, CA

Price: $3.99!

Vintage: NV

Critic Review: Straw color. Aromas of ripe pear, yellow plum, vanilla-vcaramel, and fried sage with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and an even, interesting, breezy marshmallow and lemon jellies finish with a suggestion of oak flavor.

My Tasting Experience

This chardonnay was a light, straw yellow with a strong acidic and tart smell. The aroma lacked different layers and smells, as the acid overpowered any fruit. Similarly, the taste did not have a lot of different flavors and lacked complexity. However, this did not make the wine taste bad. It seems  unbalanced.

Wine Folly: pg 96 Chardonnay General - I could not taste any of the common flavors such as pineapple or vanilla. I agree that the sweetness and tannins are low while the acidity and body were higher.

pg 294 Central Coast, CA - Again, I could not pick up the common flavors of a Central Coast Chardonnay which are often rich and oaky.

Bonterra Chardonnay (2022)

Grape: Chardonnay

Country & Region: United States, Mendocino County, CA

Price: $16

Vintage: 2022

Critic Review: This wine is refreshing on the palate, with a minerality that is both bright and clean, drawing you into a vibrant tartness and lemon zest.

My Tasting Experience:

The color of this wine was a darker yellow or a golden hay. While doing the sniff and swirl, the aromas were very fruity. I seemed to pick out some apple or pear notes in the aroma. This Chardonnay tasted less acidic, making it softer on the tongue. While the first taste was a little sweet, there was a slight butter wholeness as an aftertaste. I definitely liked this one better because the acidity was not as overpowering.

Wine Folly: pg 96 Chardonnay General - The aroma and taste of the yellow apple was the strongest flavor for me. I also experienced a butter taste that provided nice body to the aftertaste. 

pg 292 North Coast, CA - A North Coast Chardonnay has common notes of apple, baked pear, and butter, which I experienced with this wine. However, I did not pick up on any almond cream, pineapple, haselnut, or caramel.

Now, off to uncork my next adventure!

RG