Wente, Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2013, California, USA
Wente is a long-etablished Californian producer, and this is an estate-grown Chardonnay from the Arroyo Seco appelation, widely regarded as one of California’s best Chardonnay areas with deep gravel soils and a relatively cool exposition. The wine was mostly fermented and aged in new and older French barrels, and has a modest 13.5% alcohol. There’s a beautifully pitched tropical fruit note, underpinned by buttery Brazil nut and a little hint of grippy lemon rind and melon skin. In the mouth it’s the natural, sun-ripened sweetness that fills the mid-palate, but there is fine acidity and juicy, grippy character too, giving this a bit of tension and layered complexity into the finish. Watch the video for my full review, including much more detail and food matching suggestions. Around £15.49, see all stockists on wine-searcher
