Blackjack Ranch 2005 “21″ Chardonnay
Chardonnay isn’t a curiosity in California–it’s a juggernaut. No matter
what anyone tells you, chardonnay is just as popular today as its ever been.
Still, those who ridicule the “average” California as flabby, sweet and
heavy are certainly onto something–much of it is unless you’re willing to
pay upwards of $40 for the good stuff from the best vineyards, made by the
best winemakers–winemakers who attain great balance between fruit, oak and
acidity. But at $40+ , who can afford to drink those wines every day?
Not me…and probably not you.
That’s where Blackjack Ranch comes in with its 2005 “21″ Chardonnay. It
brings the balance, and rich flavor of those more expensive wines at a much
more affordable price.
The nose is filled with pear, lemon and vanilla with hints of minerality.
The palate is extremely well balanced with rich, ripe fruit flavors–pear,
citrus and a little peach–excellent acidity. It’s a little creamy on the
mid-palate with vanilla and honey streaks but it’s still lively and nimble
as it finishes on a lengthy, mineral-laced note.
–Parker Tomlin