Gandona - Chardonnay - 2019

Gandona Estate sits high on Pritchard Hill above Lake Hennessy, ground better known today for its steep Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Portuguese-born owner Manuel Pires bought the property in 2006 and rebuilt it with consulting winemaker Philippe Melka, but kept a single acre of the old Chardonnay vines that predate the estate's Bordeaux-style reboot. This 2019 is a rare bottling -- tiny production, mountain fruit, a different side of a winery built around big reds. Pour it for a special dinner, not a Tuesday. Baking spice, Golden Delicious apple, passionfruit and papaya on the nose. Rounded texture, red apple and pear flavors, bright acid carrying through a clean finish.