Pays homage to the classic oak-and-butter style of California chardonnay while avoiding the ponderous excess of that style. You do not have to worry about wood splinters or think of milk when you sip this pour. $16-18
The wine is 100% Chardonnay from SIP Certified Sustainable Central Coast vineyards. Stainless steel fermentation; full malolactic conversion. Aged nine months in French oak, 45% new, with regular bâtonnage. Bâtonnage is a fancy French term for “stirring the lees.” It encourages creaminess, more complex aromas (toasted almonds), and softens the oak influence.
The True Myth story is not one of myth, but of actual achievement in the Edna Valley of the Central Coast. Jack and Catharine Niven arrived in San Luis Obispo County in the early 1970s with visions of wine. He planted the historic Paragon Vineyard in the Edna Valley—a valley previously known primarily for dairy farms and garbanzo beans. The vision would establish the Edna Valley as an ideal place for premier grape growing.
Beyond farming his grapes, Niven led the effort to win the Edna Valley official AVA designation in 1982. The AVA is particularly noted for Burgundian grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition, Catharine Niven became the first woman in the Edna Valley to plant her own vineyard and produce wine under her own label. Real achievement, not myth.
True Myth is the project of three generations of the Niven family. James Niven (CEO) and John R. Niven (COO and CFO) ran the business. The third generation, cousins John H. Niven (VP of sales and marketing) and Michael Blaney (VP operations) led day-to-day operations until the sale in 2020. That year, the Niven family sold their portfolio brands to WX Brands. The next year, Argentina’s Bemberg Family Group—Argentina’s leading wine producer—acquired a majority stake in WX Brands. That is a lot of corporate shell games to digest. The important takeaway is the Nivens continue to own and farm the vineyards that supply the grapes even if they are out of winery management. Wines are crafted by Rob Takigawa, who has been associated with the winery since 1999, providing style continuity.
True Myth was launched in 2013 as the newest Niven brand. It is a celebration of Mother Nature and the Niven family’s commitment to responsible farming. The brand’s butterfly labels celebrate the annual migration of tens of thousands of monarch butterflies through the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. The migration occurs near the winery’s vineyards. The Niven vineyards were among the first Central Coast AVA vineyards to earn SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certification. Third-party SIP certification addresses biodiversity, social equity, energy efficiency, pest management, water quality and conservation, and employee welfare.
True Myth Chardonnay Central Coast 2023: Deep gold color; tropical fruit balanced by citrus and apple, caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, toasty oak, almond, hazelnut on the nose and palate.
Dry; mouthwatering acidity. Lush, medium-plus body. Plush, full, buttery mouthfeel. Creamy, round finish where vanilla and toasted oak lurk. California oak-and-malo chardonnay that wisely exhibits restraint within that style thanks to acidity engendered by the Central Coast’s cool climate and design of the winery’s oak regimen. 13.8% ABV
Pairing—Shellfish and rich seafood; lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops pan-seared in butter. Roast, grilled, or fried chicken; Cornish hen in velouté. Rich pasta dishes with chicken and mushrooms in cream sauce. Fruit salads; butternut squash or pumpkin risotto with Parmesan. And classic with this style: movie-theater popcorn, because sometimes the cliché is the right answer. Cheese—Havarti, young Gouda, Fontina, mild Jack; creamy, bloomy, brie, camembert; mid-aged Cheddar, Gruyère. Be cautious with sharp blue cheese; very aged, salty hard cheeses.
