Kosta Browne One-Sixteen Chardonnay

Kosta Browne's One-Sixteen is a Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, a cool, fog-influenced appellation known for giving the grape both ripeness and acidity. Chardonnay from this area usually shows orchard and citrus fruit, such as ripe pear, yellow apple and lemon, with riper examples moving toward pineapple and stone fruit. The valley's cool evenings tend to keep the acidity bright enough that the wine stays lively rather than heavy. Producers here often use French oak and lees contact, so expect a medium-full body with a creamy texture, a hint of toasted spice or vanilla, and a finish that carries on past the fruit. Chardonnay has no meaningful tannin, so structure comes from acidity and texture instead. Because the style leans rich, the wine suits food with some weight and fat. Roast chicken with pan juices, seared scallops, lobster or crab with drawn butter, and cream-based pasta all match its texture. Soft cheeses such as brie or Comté work too, as do mushroom dishes and roasted squash. Dishes with sharp acidity or heavy spice can flatten a wine like this, so keep those for something leaner. Serve it lightly chilled, around 50 to 55°F. Straight from a refrigerator it will taste tight and muted, so pull it out 20 to 30 minutes before pouring. It does not need decanting, though a short rest in the glass lets the oak and fruit open up. A white wine glass with a generous bowl, or a slightly wider Burgundy-style glass, gives the aromatics room and suits a barrel-influenced Chardonnay better than a narrow flute-shaped glass. Wines from this producer and region are made with a few years of cellar life in mind, but this bottle is also built to be enjoyed on release. If you hold it, store it on its side in a cool, dark place and open it with the structure in mind, not the youthful fruit alone.