Full Review

Cloud Break

Cloud Break
2019 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.5% RS: .07%
87 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$9.99
Best Buy

Cloud Break
2019 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.5% RS: .07%
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of roasted pineapple and nuts, honeyed apples, corn-pops, and apple butter with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, delightful, buoyant finish with notes of apple nut tart and pineapple custard with a suggestion of oak flavor. A well-balanced, flavorful Chardonnay that is sure to please.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth & New World
Aroma Aroma: roasted pineapple and nuts, honeyed apples, corn-pops, and apple butter
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of apple nut tart and pineapple custard
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now
Recipes Pairing: Turkey, Roasted Chicken, Boiled Lobster
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A well-balanced, flavorful Chardonnay that is sure to please.

The Producer

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

The Producer
101 Larkspur Landing Circle
Suite 350
Larkspur, CA 94939
USA
1 559-638-3544

Their Portfolio

88 Buttercup 2019 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $12.99.
BR Buttercup 2020 Rose, California 12.5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
85 Cloud Break 2019 Black Cloud Red Blend, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
BR Cloud Break 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
87 Cloud Break 2019 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
BR Cloud Break 2019 Moscato, California 9.5% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Cloud Break 2020 Rosé, California 12.5% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
88 Cloud Break 2019 Winemaker’s Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.5% (USA) $9.99.
BR Cloud Break 2019 Merlot, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Cloud Break 2020 Pinot Grigio, California 12.5% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
86 Cloud Break 2019 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
BR Cloud Break 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13% (USA) $9.99. - Bronze Medal
85 Creamery 2019 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $12.99.
BR Day Owl 2020 Rosé, California 12.5% (USA) $14.99. - Bronze Medal
85 Exitus 2017 Red Blend, California 15.9% (USA) $19.00.
85 Firebrand 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
85 Firebrand 2019 Winemaker’s Reserve, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
86 Firebrand 2020 Barrel Fermented , Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $9.99.
87 Game Box 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $24.99.
87 Game Box 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.500000000000001% (USA) $24.99.
85 Game Box 2019 Pinot Grigio, California 12.5% (USA) $24.99.
85 Game Box 2019 Pinot Grigio, California 12% (USA) $24.99.
BR Game Box 2020 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $24.99. - Bronze Medal
86 Golden Circle 2019 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $12.99.
89 Intercept 2018 Red Blend, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.00.
89 Intercept 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $19.99.
87 Intercept 2019 Pinot Noir, Monterey 15% (USA) $19.99.
87 Intercept 2018 Red Blend, Paso Robles 15.0% (USA) $19.99.
89 Intercept 2019 Chardonnay, Monterey 13.5% (USA) $19.99.
BR Line 39 2017 Excursion Red Blend, California 13.5% (USA) $10.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Spritzer, Pinot Noir, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Spritzer, Pinot Noir, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Spritzer, Pinot Noir, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Rosé Spritzer, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Spritzer, Rose, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 NV Spritzer, Rose, California 5% (USA) $12.99. - Bronze Medal
86 Line 39 NV Spritzer, Sauvignon Blanc, California 5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Line 39 NV Spritzer, Sauvignon Blanc, California 5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Line 39 NV Spritzer, Sauvignon Blanc, California 5% (USA) $12.99.
85 Magna Terra 2019 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $7.99.

Chardonnay

Wine Glass White.jpg
Serve in a White Wine Glass
Chardonnay is arguably the world’s most famous white variety, thanks to its success in France’s Burgundy region as well as throughout much of California. Chardonnay on its own has rather straightforward, pleasant aromas of apple and pear, but when aged (and sometimes fermented) in small oak barrels, the wines take on extra richness as well as notes of toasted almond, vanilla and yeast.

The most renowned examples of Chardonnay are from small villages and vineyards in Burgundy, such as Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. These wines are very powerful with ample spicy notes and very good acidity; they age very well, sometimes as long as 20-25 years. Another part of Burgundy, Chablis, is home to more restrained style of Chardonnay. Certain areas of California, especially Russian River Valley in Sonoma and Santa Barbara County are also home to many distinguished examples of Chardonnay, with those from the latter region often displaying tropical fruit flavors.

Given that most Chardonnnays are aged in small oak barrels, there has been a movement as of late to give consumers a mored delicate style of Chardonnay, without all the spicy and toasty flavors. Thus there are now many producers that produce non-oak aged Chardonnays; this has been seen from many producers from Australia as well as a few in California as well.

Chardonnay, especially oak-aged versions, are quite rich and need seafood of equal richness at the dinner table. Thus lobster, halibut and swordfish are ideal food pairings.