Getting together with my Wild Wine Women group is always fun and rewarding. We choose interesting places to meet for lunch and try different wines. Most recently, 16 of us gathered at the quaint and intimate setting of Nasch Austrian Bistro in Los Gatos—a new eatery focusing on classic fare such as Schnitzel and Spätzle, Bratwurst and Weisswurst, not to mention delicious desserts of Sachertorte, Palatschinke, and, everybody’s favorite, Apfel Strudel.
We all took different wines to sample (there’s a corkage fee, of course), and in the mix was an absolutely splendid Burrell School Chardonnay Estate 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, which the winery has given the name “Teacher’s Pet.” All of Burrell School’s wines have a school-themed moniker.
I happened to be sitting next to Anne Moulton, who owns Burrell School Vineyard with her winemaker husband, Dave Moulton. When I enthused about this Chardonnay, Anne proudly said that it got a 90-point rating in the March 2016 Wine Enthusiast’s buying guide. She had every right to be honored, this is a gorgeous Chardonnay packed with flavor—barrel-fermented and aged 12 months in French oak.
“This wine from the top of Santa Cruz Mountains has a distinctly intriguing nose … chive … lemon … grapefruit blossom aromas,” writes Wine Enthusiast.
Of the 55 Chardonnays rated by Wine Enthusiast, Burrell School Vineyards’ Chard was the only Santa Cruz Mountains appellation wine recognized. “That speaks well for our estate-grown fruit, our winemaking methods and the finished wine,” says Dave Moulton.
A lovely lemony-straw color with a fruity nose of pear, pineapple and lemon custard, its zesty flavors include grapefruit, almonds, honey tangelo and Golden Delicious apple. Although Dave Moulton suggests pairing it with “lively fare,” such as freshly shucked oysters, I would vote for taking a bottle of this Chard to your favorite German restaurant. You’ll be amazed how well it pairs with Wiener Schnitzel!
Initially selling for $32, this Chardonnay is now on sale for $24. Also on sale right now is a four-pack sampler, which includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Regularly $144, it’s a bargain at $99.
Burrell School Vineyards, 24060 Summit Road, Los Gatos, 408-353-6290. burrellschool.com. Tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
