Toad Hollow Vineyards makes consistently fine food friendly and value priced wines sourced from Northern California vineyards (to read an article on other wines released earlier this year click here). Their mission statement is to produce quality wines that are delicious, interesting and accessible. They also say they are an amusing and friendly bunch and believe drinking wine should be as FUN as the whimsical art on their wine labels. The 2018 Chardonnay reviewed below is unique and very special. And, as an added bonus it just happens to be a great value!  Don’t miss it!

2018 Toad Hollow Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay Francine’s Selection Mendocino County
This wine is always a great value and a lovely expression of Chardonnay fruit without the influence of oak. It is very food friendly and a great match for a wide variety of lighter foods. The grapes come from three old low yielding Mendocino vineyards that have been tended for decades by their family growers. This 2018 is the 26th vintage for Toad Hollow Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay and it is especially pure and bright this year. If you are not familiar with this wine this is a great place to start! From the great 2018 vintage the wine has a very light yellow color and a stunning floral perfume with exotic tinges and a steely undertone. Bright and crisp yet very flavorful it has lovely very pure fruit with hints of citrus and apple with a very faint exotic nuance and a nice crispness on the finish. This is a really distinctive fruit driven Chardonnay that has great early appeal and is just plain delicious – Outstanding Plus.      $14.99      Best Buy