Woodwork Central Coast Chardonnay 2013, Batch No. 12. Its label boasts an oak influence, fruit expression, vanilla and caramel notes, apple, pineapple and peach notes. With a label like that, who can resist trying it?
The nose is clean and there’s a lot going on in this wine. It definitely shows the fruit flavors with layers of vanilla and caramel with a slight butterscotch finish. My initial taste ends with a zippy (I love that term!) finish, something I find characteristic of the central coast chardonnays. This could be the pear and apple influence in the wine.
To my taste, the oak is subtle, and not displaying the soft, round, buttery traits that I’m always looking for in a chardonnay. But, with that said, I do still like central coast chardonnays for their complexity. This one leans more toward the fruit expression with a touch of caramel, is complex with multiple flavors and would pair well with a soft brie cheese and apple slices, or roasted chicken. 13% alcohol.
I picked up this wine, on sale, at Safeway for $8.18 (normally $12.99), but it is also available at Total Wine and many other online resellers.