Flora Springs, Napa Valley (California) Chardonnay 2017

 Flora Springs has a long and successful history with chardonnay, a success that is evident today even though the style has changed in recent years.  To preserve freshness and acidity, Flora Springs chardonnay of old almost never underwent malolactic fermentation, a secondary fermentation that imparts a creamy texture and buttery flavor notes.  More recently, however, with grape sources in some of the cooler spots in southern Napa Valley, the grapes come in with acid levels that permit at least partial malolactic fermentation without running the risk of producing a flabby chardonnay that weighs heavy on the palate.  The 2017 is beautifully balanced, offering creamy richness in combo with freshness and mouth-watering acidity, flavors of lemon oil, tropical fruits, ripe apple and notes of vanilla, cinnamon and toasted almond.