Now that summer is here, it's time for the influx of white wine reviews because I truly enjoy whites with the hot weather and much of the summer cuisine we cook around the house. Last week I reviewed the Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, which I found to be a well assembled wine but not exactly to my tastes due to a good amount of oak and butter. I much prefer (and this is a personal thing; I know lots of you may prefer the oaky Chardonnays) the cleaner, unoaked style of Chardonnay and this Morgan Santa Lucia Highlands bottle hits it square on the nose for me.
This wine begins with aromas of freshly cut grass and outdoor floral, garden scents. The flavors really come through without the oak influence; pineapple, apricot and peach, more lemon toward the finish. The wine has that nice body you get with a Chardonnay (compared to a Sauvignon Blanc which often feels lighter to me) and the wine finishes with a healthy does of acidity and tart. After each taste if feels like you just ate a yellow Skittle.
I really enjoyed this bottle; price tag at my Costco was $17.79 which I found to be very fair for a wine of this quality. I would recommend Chardonnay fans give this one a shot whether or not you prefer the more oaky ones. I think there's a lot to like.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 Points (almost a bonus point added because the wine's name made me instantly think of the band Metallica)
Costco item number: 98273
max says
Saw other day new release of
Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape, that is 2012,
eager to see a review.
could be better than 2011
admin says
Thanks for the heads up. I was just in one of the larger Costcos around the Atlanta area and didn't see it. But I will keep an eye out and get a review up as soon as I can. The KS Chateauneufs are typically excellent values and among my favorite Kirkland wines