Review: River Road, Un-oaked Chardonnay

Last week I wrote about a Chardonnay from River Road, so this week I thought I’d write about a Chardonnay from River Road. But wait, this one is different! This is their Un-oaked Chardonnay.

This wine is part of what River Road calls their “Heart Series” of wines, which they describe as “fun, innovative, break-the rules, lifestyle wines.” And it happens to be one of the most successful wines in that series.

It was first released at a time when the trend in California Chardonnay was big and oaky. This wine bucked that trend (i.e., broke the rules) and found a fan base that prefers the fresher, crisper style of an un-oaked Chardonnay. I’m one of those fans!

The nose is super lively with fresh fruit aromas, such as peach, yellow delicious apple, pear and lemon. It’s fruitier than Carmen Miranda’s hat. (If you don’t get the Carmen Miranda reference, look here.) The palate of this wine is equally brimming with with fruit, particularly peach flavors but also some apple, pear and melon flavors. It has a nice mouthfeel, with a slight creaminess. The acidity is sufficiently bright. It finishes with lingering peach flavors.

Wine: River Road, Un-oaked Chardonnay
Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 87
Average price: $13.99
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.