Aug 03, 2011

Franciscan Cuvée Sauvage Los Carneros Chardonnay

I received some grief for "dissing" a very popular Chardonnay recently so it seemed only fair to go back to the well in an attempt to find some viable alternatives. There is no shortage of Chardonnay's at my neighborhood store but this one caught my eye because of its use of native yeast in the fermentation process.

This week's pick is widely available at $19.99: a premium price for what will hopefully be a premium offering.

Review

I don't mind being wrong, but I hate saying I'm sorry, mostly because I'm not (sorry that is). We all make mistakes but I don't see anything wrong with that. If we didn't try new things, we'd never learn and making mistakes is just part of the process.

Take wine,for instance. Do you drink the same thing all of the time because you're afraid to try something new? Are you afraid of the potential disappointment or of being chastised for picking a dud? I'm usually a bit more cautious with guests but when it's just Deb and me, we'll try anything. If it's bad, we'll cook with it. My problem is more one of once bitten, twice shy. If I don't like something, I'm reluctant to give it another try. Chardonnays fall into that category for me.

I'm not a big fan but I know I'm missing out on some good wines and I think this week's pick, the Franciscan Cuvee Sauvage is a case in point. I found this wine to be buttery, rich and creamy. You'll find hints of apple, pear and honey. It also has a nice bit of minerality which gives it a nice bright finish. There's even a hint of toasted oak but not enough to overpower the fruit. You won't be apologizing serving this one up to friends.

What Others Thought

There are no shortage of Chardonnay fans amongst our readers, but most have a "favorite" and are reluctant to break out of their "comfort zone". Those willing to venture out were rewarded with this "tasty chard" that seemed to strike a nice balance between those favoring "the rich and buttery" and those looking more "modern styling".

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