The Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 is a wine I found for $6.69 at Aldi. This is a wine made for Aldi by Precept Wine, the largest privately held wine company in the Northwest. Their brands include Gruet, House Wine, Canoe Ridge, and many more.
Aldi’s wine selection has been stagnant for months, to transportation issues, bottle shortages (it seems many wine bottles are imported from China and general Covid disruptions have made a mess of things. So any wine that is new to my local store is worth a look.
The Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 is sourced from vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington. Neither Aldi nor Precept Wine offers any technical information concerning this Chardonnay, but the back label does offer some clues.
They mention the grapes were picked at the peak of ripeness, which would suggest that this is a modern New World wine that is fruit-forward. Toasted almonds are referenced which seem to indicate “on lees” aging, which leaves the spent yeast in the tank or barrel with the wine. It imparts a salty/nutty sensation.
The final clue for the Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 is “a hint of butterscotch on the finish”. Butterscotch is an oak flavor, so this Chardonnay has some sort of oak influence, they do not mention oak barrel or any other method.
The $6.69 sent price was a store sale price, I think the original price was closer to $9. and a $9 Aldi wine typically is the equivalent to a $12 retail shop wine. The Columbia Valley is a great location for value-priced wine, their prevalent style is bright, rich, fruit-forward wines, that show solid acidity and balance. The alcohol content is mild by today’s Chardonnay standards, 13%.
The Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 Tasting Notes
The color is a shiny, clear, wheat yellow. The nose is subtle, there is melon, pear, green apple, soft vanilla, and a little peach. The Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 smooth, sleek Chardonnay with delicate flavors and good length.
This Chardonnay tastes like green apple, mild lemon, Anjou pear, French Vanilla, and soft melon. The mid-palate brings that almond flavor with a touch of salt, a hint of cream, a sharp hit of tart grapefruit, and then the promised butterscotch on the finish.
I was expecting a bright fruity Chardonnay and instead, I found a subtle nuanced wine.
The Summary
- The Stormchaser Charging Chardonnay 2020 is an excellent every day Chardonnay, sleek and lean, but with enough flavor to keep your interest.
- With the lack of new wines on Aldi’s shelves, this wine is a welcome new addition.
