There is no substitute for the proper glassware. You taste this Chardonnay out of a taster’s glass (ISO) and you get walloped by too much of this and not enough of that. But then, put it into a proper Burgundy glass (which can be used for Pinot Noir or Chardonnay – the two grapes of Burgundy) and the wine really shows its stuff. I have tried it in both and I can tell you it makes a world of difference. As for the wine, the nose is very subtle, you can pick up some vanilla and caramel-apple, but it’s nothing you’ll be able to scream about from the rooftops while the palate shows something completely different: butter and rich vanilla cross the tongue along with a nice hint of apple fruit and some peach pit stoniness – there’s good acidity and mouth feel which all culminate into a medium length grapefruit rind finish. In another 6 to 8 months this wine should really be singing in the glass and will drink well over the next 5+ years, but for maximum freshness try pouring yourself a glass for Thanksgiving – should be perfect by then. Price: $39.95 – Rating: ****½