Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, Rahovec Valley (Kosovo) Chardonnay 2018

 With tropical fruits leading the aromatic lineup, Stone Castle’s Chardonnay is lean and refreshing.  A delicate floral presence, along with nuances of pineapple and citrus are part of the wine’s charm, but what I found most interesting here is the presence of minerality.  This minerality was notable in the wine’s aroma and lingered all the way through the finish, with no pesky vanilla or oak presence getting in the way.  Gastronomically speaking, this is a Chardonnay that brings out the best in simple foods, from a tuna and tomato sandwich, to a filet of sole sautéed in lots of butter, to pan roasted Brussels sprouts.