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Balade

2023 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

The Belle Glos Balade Chardonnay 2023 from the Santa Maria Valley is a delightful wine that truly captures the essence of its region. This white gem showcases a harmonious balance of vibrant acidity and a full-bodied profile, making it a standout in the Chardonnay category. The flavors are layered with luscious notes of ripe apple, juicy pear, and a hint of tropical fruits, each sip offering a new wave of luxurious complexity. It carries a bright, mouthwatering acidity that enhances its fruit-forward nature without overshadowing the subtle hints of vanilla and oak from well-integrated barrel aging. With its refined yet approachable character, this handcrafted Chardonnay promises to elevate any occasion, demonstrating why the Santa Maria Valley remains a favored terroir for producing exceptional white wines.

Tasting notes:


Lemon

Lemon

Vanilla

Vanilla

Butter

Butter

Flavor profile:


Acidity Medium

Low Pronounced

Body Light

Very Light Full

Fruit Intensity Medium

Low Pronounced

Sweetness Dry

Bone Dry Sweet

Pairs well with:


Seafood Salad, Seafood, Lemon Butter Scallops

Region:


Santa Maria Valley

One hundred forty miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Santa Maria Valley is one of California's finest wine regions. Sun-baked and dry, yet river-fed and cooled by Pacific Ocean airflow, the wide east-west valley produces some of North America's most impeccably balanced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With its long growing season, grapes ripen slowly here, developing layers of flavor and fragrance. Moving inland, the extra warmth allows Bordeaux, Rhône, and Piedmont grape varieties to ripen entirely, producing richly seductive wines. Santa Maria Valley is California's second-oldest AVA, straddling both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

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