Tobin James, Bien Nacido, Chardonnay

[Innkeeper]

2000 Tobin James, Bien Nacido Vineyards, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County ($25). This also came with the spring shipment so; a. That's how we ended up with it, and B. we actually only spent about $11 for it. We quaffed it this afternoon after returning from a lobster picnic with a church group at a no-alcohol state park on the ocean. It was not as bad as it sounds, especially as a quaffer. It was fermented in 100% new French oak barrels, and aged sur lie in "perfect French oak." What saved it from just being a oak bomb were the grapes from a distinguished vineyard. They were powerful enough to almost compensate for the oak. It was very nice, but did leave that quivering wood feel on the lips. Can't imagine what food it would go with; even a butter drenched roast chicken would be questionable. My recommendation for folks who end up with these wines either accidentally or from friends or clubs, is to quaff it. Forget about matching with food.