This Chardonnay was $9.99 after a $5 discount so I thought that sounded appealing for a ’12 Carneros. And after cracking it open, I realized that it was indeed very appealing. This is a lovely, balanced Chardonnay that we enjoyed outside on a mild spring evening. Starmont is part of the Merryvale wine portfolio.
Citrus, orange peel aromas on the nose lead to flavors of lemon, butterscotch, a touch of vanilla with bright acidity. A little oak on the finish but nothing overbearing. This is Chardonnay made just like I like it, clean and fruit forward with just a mild oak influence on the finish. Great versatile food pairing wine even though we enjoyed it quite a bit on its own.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 88 Points
Costco item number: 172805
ABV: 14%
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Jos
Monday 18th of April 2016
Love your reviews. I'm very much a red man (the bigger the better), but I'd like to try some good whites but I've never like the oakiness of some Chardonnays. How oaky is this one?
Editor
Tuesday 19th of April 2016
Thanks, glad you enjoy the site. I'm like you in that I'm not a huge fan of whites that are super oaky or super buttery. This bottle was very subtle on the oak which is perhaps why I liked it.
You may also want to explore French Chablis (white burgundy) which is unoaked Chardonnay. I find the wines to really let the fruit shine through. And I am corresponding with another reader right now who has seen a Kirkland Chablis in stores now. I'm in the lookout for that one which might interest you as well.