Barden Wines Chardonnay 2016 (by Margerum Wine Company)
In the Fall of 2018 I took a trip to Santa Barbara, CA to visit a few selective wineries and taste some of their current offerings, particularly the Rhone blends. There were four of us tasting wines and my comments, on each of the wines tasted, incorporate nuances from everyone’s palate. It was a great trip, the wines were outstanding and the folks I met at each of the wineries were extremely informative, helpful and very generous with their time. The wineries have “Wine Clubs” which offer some tremendous, small production, wines that can only be obtained directly from the vineyard. I recommend to try a “Club”, click this “WineClubLink” to go to their site. I highly recommend a trip to Santa Barbara, you will not be disappointed! Keep checking back with SippingFineWine.com for all of the wineries visited, wines tasted and comments regarding the wines, wineries and folks I met.
Doug Margerum founded Margerum Wine Company in 2001, in a tiny 240 square foot cold room behind Brander Vineyards, handcrafting wines adding his personal touch. Margerum Wine Company produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown on their Estate Vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards from in and around Santa Barbara County. Their 18-acre Estate Vineyard is planted exclusively to Rhône grape varietals. In 2014, Margerum released BARDEN wines – an exploration of cold climate grapes grown in and around the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. BARDEN is Doug’s middle name and its English meaning is “Lives near the boar’s den”… thusly they have adorned the label with an image of the wild boar that is pervasive in the area’s vineyards. Their tasting room was fun and staff was very knowledgeable on their wines.
Chardonnay from 3 vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills AVA, barrel fermented in 55-degree winery, and aged for 10 months in French oak (72% new), light sunshine yellow with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with citrus notes. On the palate subtle fruit flavors of apple, pear and citrus, complex, with crisp acidity and oak that just kisses the wine, not overdone. Soft texture, good rich mouthfeel, lingering, well balanced ending with earthy minerality. Small production about 230 cases. Very Nice! Tasting Sample!
Cheers!