J. Wilkes 2016 Chardonnay

J. Wilkes’ 2016 Chardonnay featured in our Gold Wine Club also comes from the esteemed Paso Robles Highlands District, a region that may be dominated by red wine grapes, but the Chardonnay grown here is well-respected and offers some incredibly savory yet ripe flavors in the finished wines. Light golden in color with brilliant clarity, the J. Wilkes 2016 Chardonnay opens with dominating aromas of ripe pear, green apple and lime zest. Deeper exploration shows hints of lemon-lime soda, touches of French oak and fresh minerality. The palate is broad, savory and delicious and begs to be paired with pastas dressed with butter and lightly grated Parmeson, seafood with butter/cream sauces, fish and chips, or fried shrimp. The J. Wilkes 2016 Chardonnay is a definite crowd-pleaser and complex in an understated way.