Benovia Chardonnay Martaella Vineyard Russian River Valley 2018   

2018 Benovia Chardonnay Martaella Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley $59.95
NVWE Notes: Opulently ripe, zesty, focused and generally rather dramatic, this debut Chardonnay from Benovia’s terrific Pinot Noir vineyard makes a statement. The nose surges-forth as a creamy perfume of baked green apple, white peach tart, golden mulberry, lemon curd, orange zest, nutmeg, hazelnut nougat, honey, baking-spice and mineral scents. It proves as flashy and tongue-coating as expected on the palate, if less evolved, more zesty and more coiled in fruit. The finish is very very long and focuses on golden mulberry, apple, peach, green plum liqueur, nutmeg, orange peel and hints of chalky minerality. Built for fish or fowl in fancy sauces, it should evolve nicely over the next year or two.