Chardonnay 2018 (Smith Madrone)

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. A beautiful gold colour in the glass with flecks of green, this Chardonnay exhibits a generous nose of nectarine, peach, ripe lemon and toasted bread. It is a top-class example of Californian Chardonnay, harvested from estate-owned vineyards in the Spring Mountain region of Napa Valley. Smith-Madrone was founded in 1971, taking its name from the Smith brothers and the Madrone tree, a type of evergreen that can be found all over the estate. Charles and Stuart Smith’s vineyards are dry-farmed - creating difficult conditions forces the vines to put as much energy as possible into the production of concentrated, flavourful fruits. Smith-Madrones's trailblazing techniques are evident in the resulting wines, which are famed for their purity of fruit. This dry white wine is crisp, well-structured and focused. Ripe flavours of apple and tropical hints of star fruit can be found on the palate. They are supported żeby a bright vein of acidity, beams of oak, notes of chalk and an underlying yeasty quality. It culminates in a long and creamy finish. The fruits spent 9 months ageing in barrels of 55% new French oak. The Smith-Madrone Chardonnay will be at its best when served alongside a crispy battered fish, or any seafood with a squeeze of lemon.