White Wine Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2018. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of Napa’s legendary producers thanks to the so-called Judgement of Paris blind tasting competition in 1976 where the estate’s 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon took first place. The winery was founded by Warren Winiarski in 1972 after he left behind an academic career to pursue winemaking, studying under Robert Mondavi. Winiarski agreed to secretly enter the very first vintage of his wine in the Paris competition. At the tasting the panel of French wine experts placed his wine ahead of many top Bordeaux chateaux including Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. As well as their magnificent Cabernet, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars also produce some stunning Chardonnay like this elegant example which is named after the Greek word for graceful”. Fruit is sourced from selected cool climate vineyards in southern Napa Valley with the must fermented in oak barrels to add a creamy texture and plenty of polish. The young wine is then matured on the lees for 8 months in 30% new oak French barrels. The result is a light and refined Chardonnay with ripe stone fruit and citrus flavours carefully balanced by soft tannins, a generous medium body, and hints of spice on the long finish. There’s notes of pear, honeydew melon and hazelnut on the palate with a persistent freshness which makes this a great match for grilled salmon, roast chicken, or leafy summer salads with feta or halloumi.
2018
White Wine Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2018
White Wine Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay 2018. No need to decant. Founded by Jess Jackson in 1989, Stonestreet Estate Vineyards is a Californian winery in the Alexander Valley sub-appellation, in Sonoma County, known for its range of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines from single vineyards. The vineyards of the estate extend for about 400 hectares at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, at heights between 120 and 730 m above sea level. Each individual plot has different characteristics of elevation, aspect, and exposure resulting in different microclimates. For this reason, they are all treated separately. The Chardonnay grapes for this splendid wine are selected from a range of parcels in the best vineyards of the Stonestreet mountain estate. The wine is produced with care so that it expresses decisively the distinctive elements of its terroir and of the specific vintage. The Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay has the delicious sweetness of caramelized apples and pineapple and the juicy freshness of stone fruit with a gentle touch of salinity and some citrus notes. On the palate, it is warm and round with a good concentration of fruit and a pleasant freshness. It is lively and has great length. Try it on its own or with shellfish or crab.
2018
White Wine Clai Sv. Jakov Malvazija 2018. The Clai estate is situated a short 40km hop from the Italian border and has been in the same local Istrian family for generations. Today this top Croatian boutique winery is run by Giorgio Clai who strives to produce delicious, finely-crafted wines in harmony with the natural ecosystem. In the vineyard he uses only organic fertilizer and avoids treating the vines with chemicals. Once in the winery the grapes are fermented using wild yeasts naturally found on the skins and in the air. Malvazija is the local Croatian name for Malvasia which thrives on the Istrian peninsula thanks to the proximity to the coast and cooling sea breezes even at the height of summer. This special single vineyard Malvazija comes from 50 year old vines planted on a prime site on a hill to the south of the town of Buje. The vines here are farmed organically and are harvested by hand. The Sv. Jakov is made with the very best fruit from this vineyard and is only produced during the finest of vintages to ensure exceptional quality. Following vinification the young wine is aged for two years in 1000 litre and 2500 litre casks to add complexity and maturity. The result is an aromatic, lightly spiced wine with intense layers of flavour and texture which emerge as the wine opens up and reveals its full character in the glass. A fantastic wine to savour with a delicious meal of fish, chicken or pastas served with a creamy sauce.
2018