PEARMUND CHARDONNAY - 2004

Pearmund Cellars is located in the foothills of eastern Fauquier County, VA, near the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. The 25-acre vineyard produces Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Late Harvest Vidal, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Ameritage. This Virginia Chardonnay has an alcohol content of 13.5%

TASTING NOTES:

Golden yellow color with butter and oak on the nose. Slick, smooth and a tad oily with lots of butter and toasty oak upfront and apple/pear lurking underneath. Candy-toffee and caramel enter on the tart acidic finish. Shortly after opening the oak is so firey and toasted that the flavor resembles a freshly fried corn chip.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Looks, smells and tastes like California Chardonnay. You'd never guess this was grown and made in Virginia. Definitely over-oaked like California Chards which takes something away from the fruit (which gets lost here), but an enjoyable wine none-the-less. If you are curious about Virginia wines but have been hesitant to spend on them, this Chard is a great place to start. Retails for around $18.