Community Review

Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay 2012

Central Coast, California, United States

Community Score: 4.3/5
Community Reviews: 11

Price: $15.95

Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 13.5%

Drink: 2013-2017

Bottle size: 750 ml
Winery: Sterling

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Summer Barbie parties are great, but how does one manage to have stellar wines without busting the budget? Well, you can rely on word of mouth from friends, or your very helpful and knowledgeable local wine store associate.

Ultimately, the answer is -- well, you've got to try them yourself. I know that sounds sacrificial, and in a way it is -- both from a cost and taste point of view.

Such was the case with this wine. I went to a wine store counting on a particular wine, and when it wasn't exactly what I had in mind (balance was off) the store wine manager suggested the Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay.

Dead on -- it was exactly what I was looking for. A Chard (indeed, people still love Chardonnay) with perfect acidity, butter and toast (light American oak) excellent and plentiful apple flavours, popcorn and judicious (if not, constrained) use of oak.

Butter, toast, mineral, citrus and cooked apple and, yes, much to my surprise -- fig and light caramel on the palate. Lots of dimension and complexity to this wine.

In fact, it went with my smoked trout appie (buttery and structured)as well as a lobster boil up with a lemon butter, white wine (same wine)and fresh pureed Mexican garlic (a flavour somewhat between a shallot and mild garlic) sauce -- while the Sterling Chard cut through the richness, it also complemented the richness of the (Maritime) lobster.

Absolutely excellent!

Read Natalie's Full Review

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Veuve Clicquot Sparkling Wine
Rosé Champagne 2015,
Champagne A.C. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 333,905 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 333,905 strong:

Community Review