[concentric circles]

I like the oaky, buttery flavor of some chardonnays, it does need to be balanced and I suppose there are some wines made in this style that overpower the taste buds with those flavors. However I still drink mostly red wines. A good bargain is Trader Joe’s Coastal Cabernet made with central coast grapes and selling at $4.00 a bottle.

The wines of the central coast are undervalued compared to the pricey Napa Valley wines and I hope they remain that way. The grapes are high quality, carrying a wonderful taste of the region’s land and the winemakers know what to do with them.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The wines of the central coast are undervalued compared to the pricey Napa Valley wines and I hope they remain that way. The grapes are high quality, carrying a wonderful taste of the region’s land and the winemakers know what to do with them.

I'm no expert, but central coast wines always taste better than Napa Valley wines to me - especially the pinot noirs.

[ccmay]

I like the oaky, buttery flavor of some chardonnays, it does need to be balanced and I suppose there are some wines made in this style that overpower the taste buds with those flavors.

For me it depends on what I'm eating.

If it's fish or chicken in a creamy sauce, or lobster or crab, then I prefer the more buttery, toasty taste of a Chardonnay that has undergone malolactic fermentation and moderate time in oak.

For fish or chicken that is not in a creamy sauce, or with oysters or clams, I like a cleaner Chard without malolactic fermentation and a lesser degree of oak. Or a sauvignon blanc.

-ccm