This is a beautiful wine. Melon and lemon custard aromas are so delicious you might forget to drink. But don’t. Layers of flavor pile in, one after another. An initial lime citrus zing leaps to creamy lemon custard, then ripe melon, then back to a zing with some pineapple, with white florals and caramel underlying everything. The finish lingers forever. Mouth-feel is round and full. The wine is hedonistically rich without losing its fresh acidity. Drink this marvelous wine with Dover sole. Very highly recommended. 95 points. DBH
WHO: Shafer Vineyards
WHERE: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
WHAT: Chardonnay
HOW MUCH: $56 (media sample)