2024 James Chardonnay

Trader JoesTJ TuesdayChardonnayWhite Wines
Written By Catherine Courtney

2024 James Chardonnay

GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay

VINTAGE: 2024

REGION: Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 13.5%

PRICE: $14.99

To all the moms, mother figures, and women who mother in every sense of the word, I hope this weekend held something lovely for you. I, like many others, will be accepting my badge of honor for surviving a Trader Joe’s run on Mother’s Day weekend. The flower section alone became a contact sport, and the wine aisle? It was as if we were back in 2020, with shoppers filling their carts with numerous bottles of wine.

Despite the chaos, the trip was well worth it. I grabbed four new bottles of wine that I’ll be sampling over the upcoming weeks or days- depending on how stressful the 9-5 job is and reporting back. The first bottle that we are sampling is the 2024 James Chardonnay. Admittedly, the label caught my eye; in fact, it earned a second look, and it was an immediate add-to-cart situation.

I know, I know. You saw “Chardonnay” and almost kept moving. Frankly, I’d do the same, but stay with me. This isn’t your oaky, buttery, vanilla-forward California Chard. This bottle really had me scratching my head, as it was more reminiscent of Burgundy wines than of Central Coast wines.

Before I give all the details away, let’s jump into the tasting details, shall we?

Tasting Notes:

  • Pale straw with a faint golden tint

  • Bright, zesty, and unapologetically alive in the glass

  • Notes of citrus, specifically lemon, with a hint of peach

  • Crisp and fresh with a slight minerality

  • Lively acidity without being shrill

Verdict:

For me, this is the Chardonnay you reach for when you’re tired of Chardonnay ( or simply want to change someone’s perspective), and at this price point, it’s genuinely an exciting find. While the screw cap might raise a few eyebrows, I feel certain that after a glass of this, they will be fully converted. This is one bottle I’ll reach for time and time again this summer- I just know it!

If you grab this bottle, drop your thoughts in the comment below!

Until Next Time!

Disclaimer: All wines mentioned in this post were purchased independently. I am not an agent or representative of Trader Joe’s and cannot assist individuals in sourcing or obtaining wines featured in my posts. All opinions shared are my own and based on personal experience.

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
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