This is one of those cases when I felt I should taste a wine from a large producer that can be found just about anywhere. And it’s again one of those cases when I wish I hadn’t done so.
Fetzer Valley Oaks Chardonnay 2005 is a good example of an over-oaked chardonnay. I generally don’t gripe about chards being over-oaked as much as some wine snobs, but this one is too much for me.
The best way I can describe the palate is “muddy.” In part because it lacks any significant fruit and in part because it lacks acid. What fruit is present is green… green apples. And the lack of acid gives this chardonnay a thud in the mouth, like a flat soda.
While I am a fan of cheap wine, I prefer good cheap wine. And this just doesn’t do it for me. It’s OK, it’s drinkable, but not that enjoyable – unless you like a lot of oak.
Cheap wine rating: 74
I would recommend going for something more fruit-forward than this one.