The Vineyard House, Oakville, Napa Valley (California) Chardonnay 2016

 While the 2016 vintage is leaner than the beautiful 2015 Chardonnay from The Vineyard House, the difference in age could well account for the difference in perception of richness.  The 2016 no doubt will flesh out and evolve in more complex ways with an additional year in the bottle and could well rival the 2015.  Whether it does or not, winemaker William Ballentine is to be applauded for his restraint.  The 2016 allows the fruit to shine and shows a light hand on the oak, a trend that more California winemakers are following in recent vintages.