Chardonnay is often seen as a dime a dozen, but when you find an iteration so compelling and complex it can stop you on a dime. Made of 100% Chardonnay from Pahlmeyer’s own Atlas Peak vineyard, the 2014 benefitted from consistent weather throughout the growing season. Using native fermentation in oak barrels, it ended up spending 11 months in, primarily, Vosges, which typically are tighter grained barrels meaning less oxygen and more mature tannins. Bottled unfined and unfiltered the 2014.

Chardonnay is one of the most elegant Chardonnays you will find. This lithe and subtle wine is expressed in lovely seductive notes of crème brulee, honeysuckle, peach, pear and apricot, salted caramel, lightly smoked Gouda, with back notes of baked graham cracker crust, and oven-fired brioche bread. It is at once elegant and alluring, austere yet inviting, a soft vein of acidity and fullness migrates across the palate slowly, and turns into a long lingering finish.

Average Price:  $75/ 750ML
Alcohol: 14.9%
Pair With: Grilled lobster tail, pan seared scallops with ginger-sesame dressing, chicken cannelloni with Parmesan cream sauce.
Website: www.pahlmeyer.com