Hess Chardonnay

Monterey is a land of amazing fog and lush soil. It's for these very reasons that such a great region for chardonnays, and strawberries. I, being a native of the central coast of California, love finding gems from this region.

The nose opens up with a tart green apple and rolls into a hint of musk melon. There is a bit more acidity on the nose than I prefer, but it is deceiving. The nose isn't overly complex, so for me it makes me wonder what's to come.

On first sip, this wine is hard to read. There is a subtle toastiness that is really nice and rolls straight back your tongue. The tropical fruit notes intertwine with the acidity making for a great balance with the toast. The finish lingers and you are left with the taste of roasted apples, apple pie...almost.

This is a great drinking wine solo or paired with the right food. I really enjoy this chardonnay with a crisp salad with vinaigrette, white fish and cheese and crackers. I would recommend, if possible, having a taste of Monterey. Start with a nice creamy clam chowder, a fresh salad of local greens, strawberries, oyster mushrooms and a bright lemony dressing. Your entree might include  pan-fried rock cod with smashed yukons and local broccoli. Lastly, cap off your meal with fresh berries and sorbet with crushed, toasted almonds sprinkled on top.

Sorry, we're talking wine here...
This is definitely a wine to consider for any occasion. The label isn't super exciting, so it's easy to walk past, but you should keep an eye out for this one.