The 13.5% alcohol, 2002 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Chardonnay, was “Grown, Produced and Bottled” by Gloria Ferrer Vineyards in Sonoma, California. This is the best collection of words about a wine that you can find on a wine label. It means they did it all; they did not buy grapes from someone else, or just bottle a wine someone else made.

At 13 years old, without excessive alcohol, the wine aged gracefully. It was served with Chicken and Broccoli baked in a cream cheese and parmesan sauce. The cheeses demanded an older, rounder Chardonnay,

For about $20, the wine is an example of the possibility that California has when they don’t go crazy with excessive alcohol levels. Scoring a 17 on the Dionysian 20-point scale, it proves that Sonoma does make silver and gold medal food wines.

Its deep golden color has  a Burgundian aroma and finishes with a buttery cream finish. The apple-citrus also lingers and helps the next forkful taste like the first one. Age some wines. In vino veritas.

Chicken and Broccoli over white rice with Chardonnay; rustic into extraordinary.

Chicken and Broccoli over white rice with Chardonnay; rustic into extraordinary.