VinUM Unoaked Chardonnay

This bottle was part of a recent sale purchase from Martha Stewart Wines — a 2017 Chardonnay from Stellenbosch, South Africa, a region well known for producing fresh, expressive wines with bright fruit character.

I’ll start with a small confession: Chardonnay and I don’t always get along. I tend to shy away from the heavily oaked, buttery styles, so I was curious to try this unoaked version. Without the influence of oak, the wine leans into its natural fruit and acidity, offering a cleaner, more straightforward expression of the grape.

On the nose, there are clear citrus notes — lemon zest and perhaps a touch of grapefruit — along with hints of green apple. The palate follows through with that citrus-forward profile and a noticeable brightness. There’s a subtle sweetness to the fruit expression, though the wine is technically dry, and a slightly metallic edge that likely comes from stainless steel fermentation. That steely quality gives it a crisp finish, though it may not appeal to everyone.

While it’s not a wine I would personally reach for again, it’s far from unpleasant. If you enjoy lighter-bodied, unoaked Chardonnays with vibrant acidity and a clean, fruit-driven style, this could be a solid choice — especially at a sale price. It would pair nicely with simple seafood dishes, grilled chicken, or a light summer salad with citrus vinaigrette.