Monte Vallon, Chardonnay Pays d’Oc 2011, France
Continuing my one-man crusade to save Chardonnay from the ABC Club, another very good example from the south of France, a Pays d’Oc from the Languedoc. It comes from pebble-strewn vineyards at some altitude, so the grapes enjoy some cooler conditions plus heat retention on the ground. It is lightly oaked, giving a touch of vanilla and quite a luscious fruit quality – little notes of pineapple and peach, some floral, downy peach skin. On the palate it is nicely done. The oak is there with that sweet vanilla undertone, but really the fruit ripeness and freshness carries this along, with some orange and tangerine juiciness and tang, and a little bit of nuttiness filling in. A nice example of a well-made Chardonnay that’s bold, ripe and flavoursome, but not clumsy. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. 7.99, Majestic but on offer until 3rd September 2012 at 6.99.
