August 4, 2020
20-Buck Bottle: A chardonnay that shines
Balanced fruit with very little oak
Santa Barbara Winery 2018 Chardonnay
Availability: Black Chicken Wine Cellar
Price: $17
Tasting notes
On the nose: Orange zest, stone fruit, melon, allspice
On the palate: Pear, hint of pineapple, buttery texture
On the plate: Creamy cheeses, grilled chicken, lobster & scallops
Our take
Over half the juice is fermented in stainless, which allows the grape to shine without the cloying oak that is often evident in California chardonnay under $20.
Parting thought
If you want to visit a wine region in California, give Santa Barbara serious consideration. Fly into LAX, and drive along the coast through Ventura to the city of Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful, small city and a good base for winery visits into Santa Barbara Valley. You will often meet winemakers or winery owners in the tasting rooms, like Napa Valley used to be 30 years ago. Great restaurants and cooler weather than Napa make this an all around win, plus the beaches are picture perfect. —Anita Skogland
