Whitehall Lane Chardonnay, Carneros 2018

NVWE Notes: If Whitehall's 2017 Chardonnay was their most flavorful to date, their 2018 could become their most texturally seductive. The aromas are a trace shy when the wine is first opened, yet they ultimately fan-out as a subtlety-rich medley of baked green apple, golden mulberry, white peach, lemon shortbread, nutmeg, baking-spice and vanilla wafer scents. The wine is at once piquant, tongue-coating and elegantly supple in the mouth, where evolving flavors of pear skin, green apple skin, tarte tatin, mace, baking-spice and nougat find harmony. The finish lingers well, although the wine's youth is also evident, as notes of apple skin and Meyer lemon zest still dominate. If already a fine companion to elegantly-sauced fish or fowl, it will grow more flavorful over the next few years. 465 cases produced.