2013 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Etoile Vineyard

Light bright yellow-gold. Powerful oak-tinged orchard and pit fruit aromas along with suggestions of honeysuckle buttered toast and fennel and a smoky nuance in the background. Pliant and seamless in texture offering gently sweet tangerine white peach and pear nectar flavors that slowly tighten up on the back half. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity and finishes very long and spicy displaying lingering florality and a spicy touch of candied ginger.

The 2013 Chardonnay Etoile Vineyard comes from west-facing vines at around 700-foot elevation, matured in one-third new oak for 16 months. It has a powerful nose with scents of yellow plum and white flowers, dried honey developing with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, a touch of salinity on the tip of the tongue, hints of mango and pineapple, a little edgier than the Cote Sud towards the finish and with satisfying persistence on the finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay over the next decade.