2006 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Chardonnay, Monterey County ($25). Alcohol level: 13.8%. They took the grapes and fermented them 100% in new French Oak, aged them sur lie, and maled 58% of them! Knowing this in advanced I designed a meal to handle it.
The wine gave a burst of citrus on the nose and upfront. Very good Monterey complexity including a healthy dose of shall we say vanilla (a.k.a. oak) crossed the palate. The finish was splendid so long as it included a curl of garlic & EVOO drenched linguini- but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Matched it with Giada's Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil with lots of extra garlic. It worked!!!