I first came across Concannon Vineyard wines at Southern Wine & Spirits' Annual Portfolio tasting where I was floored with their Petit Sirah [which has nothing to do with Syrah at all!] The problem is that when I go to my favorite store in NJ, they don't have it, but instead have the Syrah, Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay. So, this time, I picked up the Chardonnay.

Honestly, I hate wines which have ample oak characteristics; it reminds me of a kid gnawing on a No. 2 pencil in school. I hate the wood taste, or shall I say that wood taste; it's like getting the wrong part of the nut's inside when you crack open some walnuts. Don't front, you guys know exactly what I am talking about.

However, this wine does have a little bit of oak combined with smoke that hits the back of your throat the right way. On the flip side, there definitely there is a little bit of tropical fruits, but this is very much overshadowed by a variety of nuts, specifically almond. That being said, this wine would go great with some vanilla ice cream with the old walnuts and syrup that I am used to as a kid; or it would be equally great with butter pecan or butter almond ice cream. I know that you guys weren't expecting that. I would say that this will work with fowl, but as I said earlier, I am not a fan of nuttyness.