Chardonnay fans should relish this Hillebrand Chard. Barrel fermented, aged 12 months in 60% new French oak (the rest a combination of 2-3 and 4 year old oak). Only 30% of the wine went through a malolactic fermentation to soften it – that way it retains a fair bit of acidity on the palate. The smells are typical barreled Chardonnay: buttery, oaky and vanilla – the palate shows good finesse and nice fruit: apple, vanilla, butterscotch and nutmeg, along with a softened-bite of acidity. Lovely. Price: $35.00