WINE REVIEW: Chamisal Vineyards 2019 Stainless Chardonnay, Central Coast, CA ($18)

by Andrew Chalk

Chamisal Vineyard’s Winemaker Fintan “Fin” du Fresne in the Vineyards in Edna Valley. No name on the dog right now.

Chamisal, located in California’s ‘forgotten’ AVA of San Luis Obispo, is a master of unoaked chardonnay. This vintage is a good example. When so many unoaked chardonnays are advertised a

s unoaked just to achieve the cost-cutting measure of avoiding oak ageing Chamisal employs the technique for the noble reason of imparting a different taste to the resulting wine. One of the best unoaked chardonnays around.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Light gold color;

Nose: Pineapple, Meyer lemon, ripe peach;

Taste: Fresh, clean fruit. Especially the pineapple and apricot. Medium acid keeps the wine lively on the palate.

Sample