WTN: Bargetto Chard '07

I bought a bottle at BevMo because Bargetto's been around for a long time and I haven't tried it in a long time and it was more or less cheap for these days ($12.34 on the tape).

It's a classic CalChard - not Chablis - and pretty good wine, because it isn't overblown. Yes, it's ripe, has malolactic fermentation and was matured in oak (or maybe with chips, I don't know). But it has a good medium yellow color, a nice meaty aroma with some citrus and of course a hint of sweetness from the malo, a pleasant entry and a decent finish. Not a cocktail wine, more a food wine.
With fried chicken, rice and asparagus last night, the lemon in the opening and mid-palate stood out. (I _LIKE_ asparagus!!) Tonight, with salmon loaf, baked potato and green salad, there was some gravel in the taste and the lemon was muted. It held its shape and length very well. If I happen to see it again and feel like it, I'll buy more.

John

Another wine I never see on the shelf on the east coast. A shame as almost all of the Bargetto wines I have been able to try over the years have been good and some border on very good yet the prices were always reasonable. I remember that they use to do a Gewurtz that I really liked and I don't like Gewurtz.

Funny thing is, they're in Soquel, just over the hill, and I've never visited. Their site says they have a 40 acre vineyard on Soquel Creek, which I think would be in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. The bottle says "Central Coast", so I imagine they used Monterey area fruit at least partly. The website doesn't specify - not that I'm surprised.

John

They use to have a tasting room in Monterey. Maybe still do but did not check. I always assumed they had some connection and possible owned vineyard land there.

They do have a tasting room in Monterey (at least according to their website). I googled Bargetto winery and the first hit is it.

John