Monday, February 18, 2013

Tasting - Balletto

Name: Balletto
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley
Country: California, US
Year: 2011
Price: $13.95


Shop/wine critic/Winery Review: It's not often that tank-fermented Chardonnay delivers the depth and texture of Teresa's Unoaked Chardonnay. This rich and diverse wine has bright fruit aromas and a nicely balanced mouth feel. The complex bouquet includes key lime, lemon peel, peaches and apricots. And it certainly delivers upon drinking. The crisp tartness complements the wines natural viscosity and creates balance and elegance. Then, the lemon- lime flavors kick in for a long, citrusy finish that lasts several minutes and begs for the next sip. Taken altogether, the aromas and mouth feel create a distinct style of Chardonnay that is made to highlight the grape itself and not the oak and malolactic aromas found in Chardonnay fermented and aged in oak barrels. –Snooth.com

My Review: This was an un-oaked chardonnay which having just watched a TV library episode on it, I was quite excited to try it!  The first thing I noticed was that it did not smell like a chardonnay.  The distinct fullness that comes from the oaked barrels was missing and all I could smell was the bouquet of only the grapes.  It was a nice change and it smelled very refreshing.  The taste was very similar to the smell and was very light and refreshing.  I actually enjoyed this more than a normal Chardonnay just due to the fact that it was not bitter and not as full.  It was a good but the best was the experience of trying it!

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