Fadeaway Chardonnay 2012 Santa Maria Valley

Recently, I sampled the Fadeaway Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's. I liked it so much that I went back and purchased the Fadeaway Chardonnay. This Chardonnay is from the Santa Maria Valley, which is in northern Santa Barbarra County and in San Luis Obispo County. This is a funnel shaped valley opening west to the Pacific. Sea fog moves into the valley over night and stays to mid-day creating a cool environment for the grapes. A long growing season and little rainfall gives the grapes extensive time to build flavor on the vine.

The bottle says that this chardonnay recalls pear tart patin, white peaches, flowers and vanilla bean. Now, a wine joe has no idea what any of that means, but I tasted citris, peach and grapefruit with just the right amount of oak. I really enjoyed this chardonnay and I will buy some more.

The wine has 13.8% A.C. which is above average for a white wine and costs $8.99 at Trader Joes(in 12 states including California it is $7.99). If lightly oaked chardonnay is your style (it is mine) this should go into your grocery cart.

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