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The VINTJS Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 is an $8.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive if you wish to know which winery produced this wine head to the TTBGov California Cola Registry and type VINTJS into the search box. I usually hesitate to name the producer since they are producing wine to Trader Joe’s specifications and not always making a wine they would use their label. The ABJ Wines listed on the back label were probably created for Trader Joe’s wines.
Sonoma County is a large growing region. It includes the Alexander Valley AVA, Bennett Valley AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Fort Ross AVA, Fountain Grove District AVA, Green Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Moon Valley AVA, North Sonoma AVA, Petaluma Gap AVA, Pine Mountain AVA, Rockpile AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma Mountain AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA, and West Sonoma AVA. They grow a lot of grapes in Sonoma.
The VINTJS Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 has a write-up in the Fearless Flyer so we know some details concerning how this Chardonnay was made. First, the grapes came from several Sonoma Coast locations and were then blended to taste. Second, the Chardonnay had oak conditioning, they make no mention of French or American oak or if they used oak barrels or some other method was used. But they mention flavors and aromas of paper and red apple along with toasty oak notes. The alcohol content is 13.3%.
The VINTJS Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is golden yellow. The nose is toasted marshmallow, pear, lemon, apple, dried pineapple, a hint of tropical fruit, and a light floral edge. The VINTJS Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 has a smooth rounded mouth-feel, this Chard shows signs of both oak aging and malolactic fermentation.
This Chardonnay tastes like lemon curd, ripe peach, buttercream (not sweet), dried pear, and juicy apple. The mid-palate shows faint butter, nectarine, and grapefruit. The acidity does an excellent job, the flavors fully unfold, and it sets your palate for the next sip.
The Summary
- The VINTJS Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 does oak conditioning right, it adds unique flavor but never overpowers.
- I was not expecting an oaked Chardonnay for $9, this is typically unoaked or lightly oaked territory.
- This wine sips well and has enough body and structure to pair well with food, take a sip or two and let the Chef in you be inspired.
