Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain Chardonnay 2021 (75cl, 14%)

This is a 2021 Chardonnay from Smith-Madrone, grown on Spring Mountain above Napa Valley and bottled at 14% in a 75cl bottle. The fruit comes from the winery's dry-farmed estate vineyards, where the coolest north-facing slopes were chosen for Chardonnay. The soils are mostly deep red, volcanic-based and well drained. The colour is a bright light green gold. Toasted hazelnuts, stone fruit, orange flowers and white pepper lead on the nose, with a hint of wasabi. The palate is medium in weight, with mouthwatering acidity, fresh white nectarine and a note of ginger that carries through from the aroma. It finishes long and crisp.