Short Street - Swartland Chardonnay

               


Name: Short Street
Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2019
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellars Review: Medium-intense aromas of pink apple, orange rind, walnut shell and yellow flower dance on the nose of this enticing white. Well-balanced, the medium weight mouthfeel offers ripe citrus, peach, and melon flavors that are complemented by a soft accent of dried apple skin. Medium acidity keeps the palate fresh and the finish clean, leaving you ready for more. - 89

Flavors/Aromas: (Pg. 96) Chardonnay contains hints of yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, vanilla, and butter, with oak also being notable particularly in California wines. While South Africa is somewhat known for chardonnay, most of it does not come from Swartland, so I am curious if that reflects on its pereceived quality and price.

My Review: My understanding of Chardonnay thus far centers on the Old World vs. New World debate, so I was curious to see which flavors would come through in this example. I defintely got a bit of butter on the first sniff, but it was largely overshadowed by some apple and lime flavors on the palate, with pear joining after the first sip. That apple taste really dominated this drink in the best way possible, as it helped make it an easier sip in conjuction with it's overall light and smooth body. I can definitely see why this grape is popular in the summer, but even in these freezing cold temperatures it certainly did the trick!

Food Pairing: N/A

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Santa Julia Tardío - Torrontés

Image
                                     Name:  Santa Julia Tard í o Varietal:  Torrontés (Late Harvest) Region:  Mendoza Country:  Argentina Year:  2022 Price:  $16.95 Vintage Cellar Review:  This late harvest Torrontés is characterized by fresh aromas of flowers and pink grapefruit, a sumptuous texture on the palate and an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity, featuring pineapple, nectarine and apricot fruit. With a very gentle finish, this delightful wine is the first one of its kind in Argentina. Flavors/Aromas:  (Pg. 177) While technically including three separate varietals, this Argentinian grape possesses a good sweet-dry balance, which goes perfectly with its notes of Meyer lemon, peach, rose petal, geranium, and citrus zest. My Review:  Full disclosure: this was consumed on a night where I had already been drinking, and I origi...
Read more

Columbia Crest - H3 Merlot

Image
                    Name:  Columbia Crest - H3 Merlot Varietal:  86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon Region:  Horse Heaven Hills, Washington Country:  United States Year:  2019 Price:  $15.95 Vintage Cellar Review:  This medium-bodied Merlot delivers aromas of spice, plum and blackberry with the perfect balance of earth, cocoa and ripe black cherry notes on the palate. The complex flavors are followed by a smooth, velvety finish. - 90 Flavors/Aromas:  (Pg. 132) Merlot is obviously popular worldwide, but is quite notable in the Columbia Valley of Washington state, with its wines featuring sweet fruit flavors like black cherry and boysenberry; higher acidity and lighter bodies; and notes of chocolate cream, violet, and mint. My Review:  Given that this is my final regular blog for this class, I knew there was one major varietal I had yet to discuss. Merlot is something I have been anxious to try ...
Read more

Primaterra - Pinot Noir

Image
                        Name:  Primaterra Varietal:  Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) Region:  Trevenezie Country:  Italy Year:  2019 Price:  $9.95 Vintage Cellar Review:  Distinctive aroma of red berries, blackberry, raspberry. Excellent versatility thanks to its good drinkability and refinement over time. Medium bodied, lively, elegant, and with good freshness. Flavors/Aromas:  (Pg. 150) This lighter bodied, soft-tannin red has become very popular with its spicy and fruity flavors, such as cherry, raspberry, clove, mushroom, and vanilla. My Review:  After the Pinot Noir/Cinsault snafu from a couple of weeks ago, I was really looking to get a bottle of the former to make up for my error, and I happened to come across a good one at a tasting that I bought on the spot. Now looking at the price listed above, you might be concerned, as with how famously difficult Pinot Noir is to get r...
Read more