2006 St. Francis Chardonnay, Sonoma County
VERDICT: "Go for it"
Chardonnay, 14.3% alc.
$12
I was pleasantly surprised to: (a) find this wine sitting on a Safeway store shelf in San Jose, and (b) get it on sale for about $12. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is a top tier Sonoma producer of great reds.
You almost can’t wrong with most of their wines. And if you’re ever in the area, you should stop by their impressive property.
This Chardonnay was pleasant, and enjoyed by all our tasters. It was not overly oaky.
Just right commented most: crisp, easy drinking with enough melon, lime and slight grassiness to keep it interesting. At 14.3%, the acidity on finish might catch you off guard at first. I suspect, though, it helps this wine’s structure and drink-ability.
A winner. And almost a steal at this price. If you find yourself near a Safeway keep an eye out, and stock up, just in time for summer!