Far Niente, Napa Valley (California) Chardonnay 2023 ($76)

The nature of at-home wine tasting is such that, once tasted, a good white wine often finds itself put back into the fridge to be tasted a second day before being chucked. Some, like this one, find themselves being returned to the cold bin for two-three-four days because they have the magic of remaining fresh — perhaps partially of a long stay sur lie in wood before bottling. The wine has a lovely blend of vibrant apple fruit and oak with firm texture being followed by a hint of vanilla toast in the finish — minerally, a few clingy tannins and almost, well, Beaune dry.
93 Roger Morris