Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres Chardonnay (75cl, 14.2%)

Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres is a single-vineyard Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, made entirely from fruit grown in the Les Pierres Vineyard. The name means 'the stones', after gravelly clay-loam soils over a former riverbed full of cobbles, which the winery credits for the wine's flinty minerality. It is fermented entirely in French oak barrels on its lees and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Coastal fog lengthens the growing season, and the house has specialised in Chardonnay since 1973. On the nose there is lemon, lime and Bosc pear with caramel, oak spice and flint. The palate brings grapefruit and lime against toasty, caramelised oak, with a round, full texture. The finish is long, with bright acidity carrying barrel spice.