Smoke Screen Chard

As we speak, I am sipping a fabulous off-brand Chardonnay discovered by my local wine shop in Alameda. Although we’re cheating a bit as it’s not from Grocery Outlet, I feel it’s a good enough deal to discuss on this forum.

Jeff from Farmstead Cheese writes:

“…Because of the economic downturn, we’re hearing… of these deals that actually seem good enough to be true.

The aptly named Smoke Screen Chardonnay is just that – a top five premium Napa Chardonnay producer had too much wine (several hundred cases too much), so he sold the already finished wine at fire sale prices to someone who rebranded it, bottled it with a screwcap closure, who sold it to us.

We can’t divulge the producer, but the same wine under its original name sells for $40+ per bottle in other shops.

This is perfectly balanced Napa juice in an elegant California style – partially barrel fermented with a lovely bouquet, creamy mouthfeel, vibrant fruit, nice minerality and an oaky and buttery richness. We’ve got it for $14 per bottle ($12.60 by the case).”

We’re primarily red wine lovers, but as Bill Hodge would say, it’s better to drink a good wine of the wrong color than a bad wine of the right color. I’m pretty sure he stole that quote from someone else. Anyway, this is a beautiful Chardonnay and I will return to Farmstead Cheese tomorrow to pick up a few bottles.

Check out Jeff’s blog for more wine insights: http://www.farmsteadcheesesandwines.com/wordpress/