A very good, full but not too oaky (the “old heads” are used barrels) Chardonnay from the Dunnigan Hills. This is $16.99 at Wine.com and up to $20 elsewhere. The best NC price is $14.99.
The winery says:
The 2019 vintage is true to the Matchbook Chardonnay signature style: a delicious balance of fruit and toasty oak. A golden sunshine color, the wine opens with a fresh bouquet of melons and apples. The aromas are echoed in the rich flavors of apricot and honey, butter and toast. 60% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation adding a nice creamy texture that leads to a long, lingering finish.
Here's the Wine Enthusiast on the 90-point and “Best Buy” 2017 vintage (a lesser one than this 2019):
This medium-bodied wine is subtle on the nose, but opens up on the palate to rich fruit and spice flavors that coat the tongue. It is balanced toward the soft side, but with underling acidity to balance the richness. Best Buy.
It's very unusual to find a real (i.e. unmanipulated) California Chardonnay – and especially one in this richer style – under $15.
But then, it’s only under $15 here.
