1998 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay - Margaret River

I've had a fondness in my heart for Australian Chardonnays since the first time I visited Tyrrell's winery and had their Vat 47 Chardonnay, which is a lovely, un-oaked, crisp mouthful of sunshine. Indeed, that wine has been one of my gold standards for Chardonnays.

Until last night.

A friend and client of mine took me out to Sushi Ran in Sausalito, and we packed a couple of wines along, including the Leeuwin.

Tasting Notes:
This wine was simply stellar in every sense of the word. The nose was bursting with gorgeous aromas of pineapple, clean and clear as its golden straw color. On the toungue, the pinapple continued, and mixed with honey white peaches and roses. I thought I could taste the buttery hints of some malolactic fermentation, but they were not tied to heavy oak as they are in so many "expensive" chardonnays these days. The wine was extremely well balanced.

Food Pairing:
The wine went perfectly with a spider roll and some white tuna nigiri.

Overall score: 10

How much?: $65

Did I mention, "WOW?" You can pick up more recent vintages at various places around the web, including at Porthos, where I got mine.