CorkTale | Wine Reviews

It was perfect, but that didn't matter. Kevin knew that no matter how nice the plant he purchased his fiance was, she'd hate it. She seemed to hate everything since he put that rock on her finger.

Kevin opened a bottle of Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay 2007 to help him calm his nerves before the inevitable fight. This above average Chardonnay displayed a smokey oak aroma that could have been the result of a burned oak casket during the wine's fermentation. It wasn't a cigarette smoke flavor, but rather a deep rich smoke flavor like the one that saturates your clothing after a cool evening huddled around a camp fire. This smokey oak aroma was accompanied by green apple, and hints of pear. Overall the review of the wine's aroma was favorable even though its complexity was rather simple. The smokey oak was obvious on his palette as he took his first sip. He knew his first sip of wine of the evening may be tainted, but this dry full bodied Chardonnay was still enjoyable. The tannins of the wine were not remarkable in this wine, as the balance was rather nice.

After pouring his second glass of wine, the front door opened.
"Hey honey, how was your day," Kevin casually extended the olive branch.
"Awful," she responded shortly.

Bridget was an attorney at a local firm. She was one of the brightest stars in their lineup, and had made partner by the time she was 32. She was tenacious, a shark in court, had a knowledge of fine wine, and was generally regarded as a straight shooter. Attractive for such a career oriented woman, Bridget did not rely on her looks to get ahead in life.

Pear and green apple were a favorite of his, but that wasn't what was on his mind. She had been talking about life, her dog, and everything else under the sun for the past hour, and not once had she stopped to sip her Castle Rock Chardonnay 2006. Not only did the wine display pear and apple notes, but it was also accompanied with a soft oak undertone that helped shape the tannins in the mouth. Again he wondered how she had so much to say that was more important than this wine.

Ultimately the complexity of the wine wasn't remarkable. The tannins were relatively high for a white, and the alcohol content warmed his mouth noticeably. The barrel fermentation was definitely oak, but not overbearing. Overall this drinkable wine was a decent pair with a chicken dish, but wasn't something to stock his wine cellar with.