I’m going to be honest, I have no idea where this wine came from. Ok, I mean, I know who sent it to me, but it’s one of those scenarios of winemaker and grapegrower getting together for a little side project, not telling anyone, and then wam! wine! And I have the utmost respect for that. Winemakers, like many of us, have creative juices flowing in them all the time. Sometimes, what they’re “day job” requires of them may not exactly scratch that itch. So it’s fun when he or she can take a step back and say, “Here, this is just for me. But I made enough for you too. If you want some.” (Read the full story.)
Prescription is just that. It’s filled with whit and whimsey; fun and flavor. It’s a wine you can pull out in a pinch and just drink. And that’s kind of what I just did…
From the winemaker:
Prescription is a project born out of a mutual respect between a grower and a winemaker. After working with James Reamer for a number of years on other projects, it became apparent that his grapes and my style of wine are a perfect match. I like making big, rich Chardonnays and James grows bold Chardonnay grapes. Also, we both enjoy drinking this style of wine. It was natural for us to work together again. Aged 100% in stainless steel tanks, the 2015 vintage renewed our partnership and brought forth Prescription. We hope that you enjoy the result!
Cheers,
Rob
About the Wine: The Prescription Vineyards 2016 Clarksburg Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes harvested from the Clarksburg AVA in California.
14.8% AVA
Flavor Profile: Open the bottle of this completely fun Chardonnay and breathe in equally fun aromas of caramel corn, complete with the crusty burnt bits. The Prescription Vineyards 2016 Clarksburg Chardonnay appears a soft, mellow yellow in the pour, settling into the glass a lot more luminous, bright, and alive. Initial aromas are of apple, butter, yellow cake batter, and a soft acidity. Swirl and release more pomme fruits, fresh water, blossoms, and stone fruits like white peaches and white nectarines.
The palate of the Prescription Chardonnay is smooth, in general, but there is a sharp acidity that cuts right through the palate, ultimately leading to a sour or tart finish. Dominant flavors are of apple, lime, honey, almond, pomelo, and ginger.
Food Pairing: I paired the Prescription Vineyards 2016 Clarksburg Chardonnay with a char-grilled octopus atop an arugula salad tossed with fresh baby heirloom tomatoes, roasted potatoes, braised broad beans, and thinly sliced fennel, all dressed with a light vinaigrette.
Was this the perfect pairing? I’m not so sure. But what I am sure of was that the meal was delicious and the wine pretty much saved the day. Having opened a wine previous to this only to find it was severely flawed, I felt very lucky to have this utterly fun, not-too-complex, but still quite delicious Chardonnay already chilled and prepped for my enjoyment. Yes, it went well with my date night dish, but I’d love to try this with — this may sound crazy — a cheese burger!
I know others out there have had this wine. So YOU tell ME — what’s the perfect pairing for Prescription?
More Info: I received the Prescription Vineyards 2016 Clarksburg Chardonnay as a sample for review. (Cheers Faith!) Price: $20. For more information about Prescription Vineyards, their wines, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Prescription Vineyards 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!