Six Pack 2020 Barrel Fermented Creamery Chardonnay, California, USA
Six Pack 2020 Barrel Fermented Creamery Chardonnay, California, USA
A gorgeously buttery and toasty chardonnay in a classic Californian style. Just like the label says, what is inside is really big but balanced, with a gently gleaming palate of buttery and ripe stone fruit notes filling the mouth before finishing really clean and harmonious.
The hours of sunshine in the field have given it the right to boast of a bulging, perfectly ripe fruit and buttery fullness, which glides completely smoothly over the tongue almost by itself. Tropical fruit and juicy ripe pear are the main notes. They are backed by vanilla from the barrel notes with a touch of creme brulee and melted butter on toasted toast. It would almost be too much charm to stand with if the fine fruit acid didn't come on stage at the end and finish the track with a juiciness that keeps the bloat in check on a rather enjoyable level.
The backbone of the wine comes from 100% malolactic fermentation and then 100% barrel aging. The wine is aged for 7 months in 60% American oak and 40% French oak.
The Creamery is a one-wine, one-brand operation out of California - making a traditional rich, oaky style but keeping it in the very affordable section.
WINE DETAILS
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: California
Vineyards: Monterey, Paso Robles, Clarksburg
Alcohol: 14.10%
Mark Rasmussen
With over 35 vintages under his belt, Mark is Sr Vice President of Winemaking at The Creamery. He oversees all winemaking and cellar operations. He began his career in 1977 with Pacific Land and Viticulture and then went on to Sebastiani where he became the Director of Winemaking. Mark even started his own company in 1986, Global Vin and Beverage, where he was instrumental in the launch of the Vinterra and Viansa wine brands. He holds his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a graduate degree in Food and Science/Enology from Fresno State University.
Located in California’s Central Valley, O’Neil’s Vintners winery at Parlier provides the tools needed to combine a history of traditional wine making with the newest in wine making technology. O’Neil is regarded as one of the fastest-growing wineries in California and has developed a reputation as one of the top premium wine producers in the US industry with recent accolades including: Wine Company of the Year in the 2020 Sommelier Wine Challenge, and Jeff O’Neill being nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 “Person of the Year”. O’Neil was honoured to receive official certification from the California Sustainable Wine growing Alliance, an industry-leading program.
Creamery Chardonnay 2020 – Made by O’Neill Vintners, who make ripe Chardonnays from grapes grown in California – Monterey, Paso Robles and Clarksburg. It’s 100% barrel fermented, 100% malolactic fermentation, and spends seven months in American and French oak. It’s good, rich drinking now, and will fill out with another year or so
