2004 Barnett Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard

($29; aged in 40% new oak) Medium green-tinged yellow. Musky aromas of lime, tropical fruits, honey, smoke and earth. Then bright and spicy in the mouth, with lemon and lime fruit and a light leesy element. Finishes with good cut, but the limey acidity gives the back end a youthfully tart character. Previously, about 75% of this wine went through malolactic fermentation, but Zacherle reduced that percentage to 25% with this 2004.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: May/June 2006