Maker: Chateau Chantal, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Grape: Chardonnay
Place of origin: Chateau Chantal estate, Old Mission Peninsula AVA, Michigan, USA
Style: Oaked Chardonnay
ABV: 13.6%
Purchased for $30 (Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room, Auburn Hills).
Appearance: Medium gold.
Nose: Oak, roux.
Palate: Buttered toast with marmalade and a slice of melon on the side.
Finish: Sage, lemon zest. Fruit fades, but butter lingers.
Parting words: Last week I reviewed Chateau Chantal’s 30 Year Vineyard Anniversary Reserve Riesling, so this week it’s the Chard’s turn. I usually like to review wines that have spent more time in the bottle than these, but since they’re special releases that will likely sell out quickly, I thought I should go ahead and review both.
It helps that they’re both very good! The Riesling, while good now, is a year or more away from its peak as I said in my review last week. This Chardonnay is firing on all cylinders right now. I’m sure it would hold up fine with another year or two in a cellar, but why wait? It’s already delicious. For me to enjoy an oaked Chard, there have to be other things going on besides oak and butter. Oak and malo flavors are in the foreground here without question, but there is enough fruit and acid to round things out. More than that, this is one of the best examples of this style in Michigan.
Like the Riesling, the only place to get this wine is at the Chateau or at the Auburn Hills location of Michigan by the Bottle. Unlike the Riesling, the 30 year Chard is on the menu, so I would guess that more of it was produced, but why wait? Go out and buy some now. Chateau Chantal 30 Year Anniversary Reserve Chardonnay is highly recommended.
Sipology 