The Contestants

Let me explain.  This was another Trader Joe’s wine adventure, but it was a lot more fun than I had anticipated. It began with a bargain bottle of Newton Chardonnay (that is not a typo), and culminated in a competition between the Central Coast and  Sonoma/Napa.  The wines were 2008 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Chardonnay – Central Coast and 2008 Newton Chardonnay – Sonoma/Napa.

You all know that I’m a Central Coast gal, and this tasting was particularly challenging.

I had great fun!

First, a little about Chardonnay and me.  Many eons ago I had the opportunity to taste a really good Chardonnay.  It was rich, luscious, loaded with fruit, buttery and wonderful.  Because I was a relative wine newbie at the time, I thought that was normal for Chard and couldn’t contain my disappointment the next time I tasted one and found it to be, well, kind of like lemonade laced with apple juice.  It was hardly the rich and wonderful wine I remembered. Unfortunately, that became my experience through the years as I would try it from time to time, still seeking that ethereal Chardonnay experience.  But it was lemonade. Every single time.  So I became an ABC (Anything But Chard) gal. It was quite a few years before I found the Chard character my palate desired and, as I discovered, you had a spend a little money to get it.  Nowadays – whether it’s because you really don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a good Chard or because my palate has matured – I enjoy it on a fairly regular basis.

Yup. Me. Liking white wines. Who’da thunk?

Rather than read lots of stuff about how wonderful (or not) these wines were, enjoy the videos!  I liked this wine tasting review so much that I may do more.  If you’d like that, just let me know.

2006 Barnwood Vineyards Petite Sirah

This is another one of those off-the-cuff wine reviews that I do from time to time.  I knew this wine was good when I bought it at the winery, but a year and a half later, it is absolutely stunning.  This is the “second label” of Laetitia Winery, by the way.

I decided to try a recipe incorporating a BBQ pulled chicken breast (in lieu of pulled pork) and thought that a Syrah/Shiraz would be just the ticket.  While diving in for a 2004 Black Bart Syrah, I saw the 2006 Barnwood Vineyards Petite Sirah Santa Barbara Highlands and said “what the heck.”  I pulled that instead of the Black Bart and popped the cork.

OMG.

Time did not hurt this beast.  It was Stygian black, with bare glints of dark purpley red clinging to the glass when it was swirled. It was arresting at first sight.  On the nose were coffee, unsweetened cocoa, berries,  a hint of bourbon and indecipherable spice.  It was rich and velvety on the palate.  Surprisingly dry, it countered the usual saw about dark, rich Central Coast wines = big jammy fruit bombs.  Cocoa, coffee, berries, and spice dominated with mouthwatering acidity and a long, surprising minerally – almost steely – finish.

It paired beautifully with the smoky sweetness of the barbecue sauce.  Because of its richness, I opted for just one glass that evening.

The next night I had a roasted turkey thigh and poured a glass of the same wine – with some trepidation, I might add.  After all, could a wine that caressed the barbecue sauce so beautifully the night before possibly be any good with plain ‘ol turkey?

Yes indeed.  It was still very vibrant and paired beautifully with the dark, rich turkey meat.  I would NOT drink this with turkey breast. The wine would completely overwhelm it, mainly because in my opinion, turkey breast is, well, boring.

I still have one bottle left, and have decided to let it sit for a year.  Can’t wait to see how it evolves.  I can’t imagine this kind of wine fading.

This wine easily rates a solid 90 in my opinion. A George Clooney wine if there ever was one.