Callia Alta Chardonnay 2006
Bodega
Range
Wine
Vintage
Origin
Price
Appearance
Clear pale straw.
Nose
Subdued. Some rock melon and pineapple, with hints of white pepper and black tea.
Palate
Light-medium body for a Chardonnay. Restrained tropical fruits, pleasant acidity of fresh pineapple and ample citrus (white grapefruit) notes. Spicy white pepper, and good length.
Overall
Callia's entry level Chardonnay is a very pleasant, if atypical drop. It's restrained on the nose, even more so on the oak and malolactic fermentation flavours. You won't find butterscotch and caramel cream, and while there are underlying tropical flavours the dominant impression is of spice and pleasant fresh citric acidity. In fact, if this had been labelled Viognier it would almost have been a credible claim. But it's well balanced, pleasant drinking at a very good price.
***+
(February 07)