Red Rooster Grand Reserve Chardonnay

196. 2004 Red Rooster Grand Reserve Chardonnay (VQA Okanagan Valley)

Just a quick one tonight since we've been drinking our fair share of Red Rooster lately.

My biggest fear with Chardonnay is that the winemaker loves to load on the oak treatment. As a result, we tend not to buy much Chardonnay unless we've actually tried it first and know that we won't be attacked by the "oak monster" (to quote internet wine whiz Gary Vaynerchuk).

Although Red Rooster's Reserve Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented, it wasn't an overwhelming oak presence. I suppose a bit of integration can be a good thing, but there's not much doubt that I'm a fruit-driven kind of a guy.

Then again, I guess that goes without saying.