Cannonball Chardonnay 2016 Sonoma County, California, USA 75cl

Cannonball Wines is a Sonoma-based label with a deliberately laid-back attitude, making generous, fruit-forward wines meant to be poured freely. The name and the style both point to easy enjoyment rather than ceremony, and this Chardonnay is very much in that spirit.

The fruit is sourced from across Sonoma County, one of California’s benchmark regions for the grape. Cooling influence from the coast and San Pablo Bay helps keep the fruit fresh, balancing the natural ripeness of the Californian sun. It is that push and pull between warmth and coolness that gives Sonoma Chardonnay its appeal.

The 2016 vintage has a little age on it now, which has softened the wine and added a rounder, more mellow feel. It is drinking well and ready to enjoy, so there is nothing to gain from holding it back any further.

Expect ripe apple, pear and citrus, with a subtle framing of oak that adds a touch of spice and cream without dominating. The palate is smooth and balanced, finishing clean and moderate at 13.5%. It is a middle-of-the-road style in the best sense, neither too lean nor too rich for most tastes.

This is an approachable, all-rounder white. Serve it chilled with roast chicken, seafood, creamy pasta, mild cheeses or simply on its own, and it slips easily into almost any occasion. A dependable Sonoma Chardonnay for people who want quality without any fuss. Ripe, balanced and easy to pour, it is the sort of bottle that suits almost any gathering and rarely needs explaining to anyone.