Stags’ Leap Winery, Napa Valley (California) Chardonnay 2020

 Winemaker Christophe Paubert made a point of ensuring the crispness of this Chardonnay by fermenting and storing 25 percent of the juice in stainless steel.  For subtle oak influence he fermented and aged another 25 percent in new French oak and a final 50 percent in seasoned French oak.  It is his practice with Chardonnay to prevent malo-lactic fermentation, which is the process that changes crisp malic acidity, think green apples, in the grapes to the softer malic acidity like that found in milk and butter, so this is not a buttery Chardonnay.  After seven months, the three sets of wines were blended and bottled.  The result is a delicious and sophisticated wine with a pale yellow color, lovely of aromas and layered flavors of green apple, lemon, melon  fruit with notes of vanilla and coriander supported by tightly-wound acidity, perfect for a scallop ceviche or grilled halibut.