The story of Ammunition Wine is the story of two friends who wanted to fight the battle against pretentious wine. Good wine, quality wine, doesn’t have to come with a high price tag, and affordable wine doesn’t have to come from a mass producer. These are the goals Andy Wahl and Bill Kerr set out for themselves when they created Ammunition. “The taste of freedom” is what it says on the back of every Ammunition bottle. So breathe a sigh of relief, your heroes have arrived, and they’ve come with their guns loaded…with wine.
About the Wine: The Ammunition Wine 2016 Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes harvested from two single vineyards, one in the Russian River Valley AVA and one from the Carneros AVA in Sonoma County. The wine was fermented entirely in stainless steel, then aged for 6 months in 100% stainless steel tanks.
There was no skin contact, no secondary malolactic fermentation, and no oak usage. This is pure Chardonnay grape.
13.5% ABV
Flavor Profile: On the pour the Ammunition Wine 2016 Chardonnay is a light, champagne-like yellow, settling into the glass just a shade darker with a twinge of green if looking in the right light. Initial aromas are of tropical stone fruits, a wet stone minerality, and an obvious line of acidity. Swirl, and the Chardonnay reveals more green, grassy notes, very delicate floral aromas, and the essence of warm country air.
On the palate the Ammunition Wine 2016 Chardonnay is quite soft, but maintains that clear line of acidity that seems to pierce right through the center of everything. Dominant flavors are of apricot, white peach, lime zest, wet rocks, and moss.
The finish is a fun one, with an explosion of citrus flavors — you’ll wonder: is it a spice kick or a sour kick? Either way, there’s a confetti of tingling throughout the mouth that delicately dissipates, leaving an alluring aftertaste of nasturtium nectar.
Food Pairing: The Ammunition Wine 2016 Chardonnay loves playing with creamy foods. Think a fettuccine alfredo, tossed with sautéed mushrooms and some slightly spicy chicken sausage. The light, and generally crisp nature of the Chardonnay will cut right through the creaminess of the dish, while those fun fruit flavors will contrast any heat in the dish. When I created this dish, I also added a garnish of fresh grape tomatoes and fresh basil, which kept the acidity level alive and brought forward that stoney minerality and wet-grassy earthiness. Loved this pairing.
More Info: Read the story behind Ammunition and tell us — what’s your Ammunition? Tell us and enter to win an Ammunition Huntsman Tier level Wine Club Membership for one year.
I received the Ammunition Wine 2016 Chardonnay as a sample for review. (Cheers David!) Price: $23. For more information about Ammunition Wine and to purchase wines directly, please visit the Ammunition Wine website.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!
No oak? I’m in! Great write up!
have’t tasted this one yet. I was planning on it, but then switched to the Pinot