Frog’s Leap Winery, Napa Valley (California) Chardonnay 2021

 Frog’s Leap’s Shale And Stone Chardonnay is somewhat unique in its winemaking.  The wine spends roughly five days in new French oak right after harvest, up to the point of malolactic fermentation.  Malolactic fermentation and everything thereafter, including ten months of lees aging, takes place in stainless steel tanks.  The result is a subtle and delicate wine, with pretty notes of slate, honeysuckle, and yellow apple coming through.  Only the faintest hint of oak is detectable.  The wine is a pleasure to drink on its own and would need to be paired with similarly delicate food, so as to not be overpowered — think steamed sole.