There are plenty of Valentine’s Day things that are red.  Roses, candy hearts loaded with chocolate, and regular decorative hearts are all great examples.  So too is red wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and others which pair so well with a beautifully cooked filet mignon (which should be at the very least pink as well!).  Bearing in mind that Valentine’s Day is frequently a surf and turf affair (and not just steak),  let’s jump into Beau Pere Cellars Chardonnay as a potential pairing for the seafood at the table.

Sight:  A moderate gold, with pale straw edges

Smell:   Creamy on the front, with hints of butter and smoke.  Pineapple joins in with lemon, papaya, and hints of clove and spice.  Touches of ripe pear peak in and out.

Sip:   The body is medium in it’s weight, but after a breaking pop of brightness, it fades slightly flabby.  The weighty, floppy body gets tangled up in a creamy, smoke, slightly bitter lemon pith kind of flavor.    The dryness sucks some of the sweetness out of the fruitier flavors, like pineapple and papaya.  Flavors are clean though, and minerality and a sort of starfruit flavor lingers in the background.

Savor:  The starfruit flavor comes into prominence in the ending, with a little bit of fruit salad (or maybe a hint of fruity pebbles) and cream.  The finish gets a hint of minerality, and fades slowly with hints of smoke.

Beau Pere Cellars Chardonnay is all about subtly and dry tropical fruit flavors.  The body doesn’t quite get fully perky, and detracts a little from the overall experience.  The flavors are nothing short of clean, crisp, and well defined, which makes it enjoyable to keep coming back to.  As oakiness goes in Chardonnay, there’s a good touch in the smokiness of the cream.    Beau Pere Cellars Chardonnay is tasty, but not without some bumps.  If you need a smooth white, it’s certainly enjoyable.

Verdict:  Round, Creamy, Flabby, Pineapple, Minerals
Rating: 69
Price: $12
Lodi, California
Available at Wine Library