At 13.5% alcohol and scoring 15 points on the Dionysian scale of 20, the 1997 Bernardus Chardonnay from Monterey County was a bit tired. The winery is in Carmel Valley.
When a bit younger, it was very French-like. Bernardus tries to make food wines.
It cost under $20 back then and it still had apple, creamy tropical fruits and a long aftertaste. The yellow of yesterday turned into a deep gold with pleasant complex flavors.
Salmon with a citrus sauce, seared radishes and spinach helped the wine show all it had.
At 19 years old, the wine is fading. It was perfect at 10 years and even at 14, but it was still an enjoyable meal. In vino veritas.
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