Beringer 2015 Chardonnay, Private Reserve, Napa Valley

Always one of the best white wines for the money out of California, Beringer Private Reserve Chard is a big, lush wine that showcases the best of Napa Valley terroir and the vintage. A single-vineyard Chardonnay sourced from the Gamble Ranch, located near the town of Yountville, in the Oakville AVA, this wine highlights the richness and complexity of this varietal and has been a benchmark Chardonnay since its first vintage in 1978. Each Chardonnay lot was kept separate throughout the aging process. After sending the fruit directly to press, the juice fermented in French oak barrels (80 percent new) to enhance the natural richness in the wine. Weekly lees stirring enhanced the toasty notes, and integrated the oak flavors for an overall balance. All of the wine was put through malolactic fermentation to encourage a lush creaminess. After 9 months aging, the most expressive lots were chosen and blended to create a richly layered wine with aromas of crème brulee and rich citrus and fruit flavors. James Suckling scored it 96 points saying “A dense and beautiful chardonnay with the focus and presence you expect in a top white from Napa. Full body, yet polished and formed with beautiful ripe fruit, lemon and mineral character. Hints of mineral, toasted oak and caramel. Drink or age. One for the cellar.”