There are a lot of wine drinkers that have sworn off Chardonnay, thinking that it somehow makes them hip to say they don’t drink Chard. I hate to break it to them, but Chardonnay is the top-selling varietal in the United States, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The place that put Chardonnay on the map is Burgundy in France. Much different in style than you see out of California, using little if any oak treatment and reflecting the terroir much more than it’s new world friends. Chablis and White Burgundy are the favorites of even those who have claimed they won’t drink Chardonnay (new world versions of course). I tend to like all types of Chardonnay, but when picking a wine to feature for the month, I shy away from oaky, new world versions.
However, when I run across a White Burgundy that I think will be accepted by both old and new world palates, I jump at the opportunity to feature such a wine, especially at the right price. This month I found one that I think truly represents Burgundy whites, yet still falls in the arena of what a new world palate might except.
2018 Domaine Talmard Macon-Chardonnay (Burgundy, France)… $12.
A mix of apples and pears on the nose with a kiss of lemon and wet stone. Smooth and round notes of apple and pears up front on the palate, morphing into notes of minerals, wet stone and solid Granny Smith apple notes on the back-end. Baking spice notes sneak in on the back of the mid-palate. Finishes with minerals, wet stone and Granny Smith apple, joined by a hit of white flowers and lemon. Solid White Burgundy with a good balance of acidity, minerals and fruit. (B/B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
