The Oak Creek Vineyards Chardonnay is a non vintage wine sourced from vineyards from all over California. A $2.99 wine found in drug stores, CVS Pharmacy and Harris Teeter and produced by Golden State Vintners. Golden State Vintners is a suppler of bulk wine to some of the bigger California wine producers. They specialize in producing Chardonnay and make private label wines for a wide variety wine sellers. The Oak Creek line of wines that are made to compete directly with Bronco Wines, Charles Shaw Wines (Two Buck Chuck). The alcohol content is 13%.
The color is a clear golden yellow. The nose is pretty good, golden delicious apple, pineapple and pink grapefruit. A light bodied Chardonnay with a slightly oily mouth feel. It tastes of pear and dried apricot, along with artificial lemon flavoring. The mid palate adds a light touch of apple and a little cream. The acidity is a little out of balance, but not too bad all thing considered. The finish isn’t too shabby, it lingers for a very respectable amount of time.
The $2.99 a bottle, Oak Creek Chardonnay isn’t great, but it is not bad, it’s surprisingly drinkable. This Chardonnay is too light bodied and a little too acidic to be a home run, but it will definitely do in the pinch. It is one of those wines that you expect almost nothing from and when it actually gives you a little something, you forgive its shortcomings. So if your hands are beginning to shake because you need some Two Buck Chuck and there is not a Trader Joe’s in sight, head on over to your local drug store chain and the Oak Creek Chardonnay will get you right.
