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American Tradition Reserve

2009 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

The Fess Parker American Tradition Reserve Chardonnay from the 2009 vintage is a stunning example of the quality that Santa Barbara County can offer. With a vibrant, golden hue, this wine captivates the eye and entices the palate. It presents a wonderful balance of fruit intensity, featuring prominent notes of ripe pear and crisp green apple, complemented by a touch of citrus zest. The acidity shines brightly, providing a mouthwatering freshness that enhances its food-friendly nature. The wine displays a medium body, delivering a smooth and elegant mouthfeel with subtle oak influence, adding a layer of complexity without overpowering the fruit. This Chardonnay is delightfully dry, making it a versatile choice for various pairings, from seafood to creamy pasta dishes. Overall, it embodies the rich terroir of Santa Barbara County and is a testament to the winemaking expertise behind it.

Tasting notes:


Vanilla

Vanilla

Peach

Peach

Butter

Butter

Flavor profile:


Acidity Medium

Low Pronounced

Body Light

Very Light Full

Fruit Intensity Medium

Low Pronounced

Sweetness Dry

Bone Dry Sweet

Region:


Santa Barbara County

Just north of Los Angeles at the southern tip of the Central Coast, Santa Barbara County is one of California's winemaking gems. Although a long way from Napa and Sonoma, Santa Barbara's prime AVAs—the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys and the Santa Rita Hills—produce exemplary cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is all thanks to the terroir. Despite its proximity to sunny southern California, Santa Barbara County is hilly, and its vineyards lie close to the Pacific Ocean. With little rainfall but an abundance of chilly ocean winds and fogs, the growing season is very long here. This allows grapes to ripen slowly over an extended period and develop wonderfully complex flavors.

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