'10 Tobin James Reserve Chardonnay

[Innkeeper]

2010 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Monterrey County, Chardonnay ($25.00; paid less as it come in our spring 2012 wine club shipment). Alcohol level: 13.8%.

It’s a lovely wine with the correct food. The wine is barrel fermented (new French oak) on the lees. The fruit and oak are evenly divided, and I can’t say too much more. Actually it wasn’t all that bad, but won’t run out and buy more.

We matched it with a free lanced Chicken a’la King. We soaked a handful of dry black Italian mushrooms in very hot water. Drained them saving ½ cup of water; and added a half cup of chicken stock and a cup of goat milk. In the meantime I chopped the mushrooms with the garlic remains of a jar of roasted red peppers in OO and garlic, along with the equivalent of a whole red pepper from another jar; and a large shallot. Sautéed the veggies in two tablespoons of EVOO. Meanwhile I made the sauce with butter, flour, stock and milk mixture and two tablespoons of sherry. Added the veggies and two cups of smoked chicken chunks to the sauce and warmed through.

Served over homemade biscuits halves, along with green beans almandine, and the wine. Not bad for a Monday night.