Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Chardonnay

Pairs with: Baked cod in cream sauce

Good for: Weekend dinner after a day in the sun

Grapes: 99% Chardonnay, 1% Viognier

I am from: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, California

The Story: The Russian River Valley’s fog layer cools in the morning leading to warmer days which embrace the vine. This 2018 vintage began the year cooler, but the mild weather allowed the grapes to ripen on the vine longer, developing deeper flavors. This chardonnay had 70% of the grapes harvested at night to preserve the grape’s natural acidity. It was then fermented within stainless steel barrels and without malolactic fermentation. The other 30% of chardonnay grapes were whole-cluster pressed and fermented in French oak barrels, allowing for malolactic fermentation with aging on the lees for six to eight months.

Why you’ll love me: Classic notes of apple, pear, and tropical pineapple with subtle but distinct oak.