SimianFox's Full Review: Wild Horse Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 2006 750ml
I tasted the 2006 Wild Horse Chardonnay, Central Coast, CA this weekend with a small gathering of friends. My impression is that this is mild and very restrained chardonnay that lacks fruit and boldness and offers moderate value for the price. First off, beware that this chardonnay is not made in the typical California style, that being overly fruity, massive malolactic fermentation, and buttery finish. While I am not a white wine drinker that loves these qualities in chardonnay and seeks them out when selecting a bottle of white at the local wine store, I do expect some of these elements when drinking a California chardonnay. After tasting the 㤎 Wild Horse, I was shocked to find that almost none of these elements existed here. The flavors in the wine are more floral than fuity and reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc. However, you can detect slight notes of pear and green apple – however very faint. The wine displays mild acidity and light body. The finish is clean, but does not linger. I will say that we drank this wine slightly warm, so and more chilling would have brought out the flavors a little more, but there are still many other California Chardonnays that I would prefer. I would recommend this wine for those who prefer Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier - milder, lighter, and crisp/refreshing wines that don't display the intensity and fruitiness of the more expensive Northern California whites. Since this is a mild wine, with low acidity, I would suggest a pairing with a something spicy like blackened chicken or tilapia. In fact, this chardonnay might go well with a jerk-lemon chicken or Cajun style catfish.
My take on the 2006 Wild Horse Chardonnay is that you can find better value elsewhere. At $15.99, this Chardonnay is a moderate to low value. As such, I would recommend the J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Chardonay, Chateau St. Jean, or Simi which are lower piced at around $10 and offer more bang for the buck.
86 Points
Recommended:
Yes
Year: Earlier Winery Name: Wild Horse Varietal: Chardonnay Designation: Central Coast Country: USA State or Region: California County or Appellation: U.S.A. Price: 15.99
Wine Rating Scale: Drinkable
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