Saturday Night – All new stuff – Part 2

The second course was Smoked Salmon Blintzes and these were paired with a 2010 Stonehedge Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay.

 

The nose was a mix of burnt caramel, toasted oak and hazelnut.  Tasting the wine oak, marshmallow and kiwi fruit are the main flavours.  The structure was off as the acidity was low and the wine came across a bit sloppy, add in high levels of oak and this certainly wasn’t a wine that blew me away; or as Mick aptly put it “Chateau 2 by 4”.  It spite of the faults it was surprising good pairing with Smoke Salmon Blintzes probably as it was big enough to keep up with the richness and flavours of the dish.

 

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 86, Mark – 86 Kathy – 86, Amy – 87, Overall – 86.25.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine -

STONEHEDGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2010

VINTAGES 311548
750 mL bottle
Price $ 14.75
Made in: California, USA
By: Stonehedge Winery
Release Date: Jan 19, 2013
Wine, White Wine
13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Varietal: Chardonnay
Sugar Content: 19 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D - Dry

 

Tasting Note -  A great crowd-pleasing, full-flavoured Napa Chardonnay featuring aromas of tropical fruit (coconut, pineapple and banana), cream and woodsmoke. Very fruity and robust with a nice, balanced finish. Enjoy with crab legs or pan-seared sea scallops. (VINTAGES panel, July 2012)

 

This wine at $15 isn’t a bad value as long as it is used right.  This is not a wine I would like to sit around and drink on its own but you pair this with a rich dish like pasta in Alfredo sauce or a big butter garlic sauce and you’ll probably have no issue finishing the bottle.

 

Click here for Part 3