The 2018 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is exceptionally expressive and elegant this vintage. Opening with savory notes of prosciutto and mushroom, it fleshes out to ripe white peaches with accents of elderflower, citrus pith and hazelnut. It’s medium-bodied with a satin-like texture and expressive flavor layers, powerful but featherweight, cut through with tangy acidity and mineral notions and finishing incredibly long and ethereal. This is the best McCrea Chardonnay from Kistler I've ever tasted.

There's a boatload of Chardonnay from this reference point estate, and the beauty is that they're all distinct as well as brilliant. Starting with the 2018 Chardonnay McCrea, which comes from the eastern side of Sonoma and limestone soils, it offers a Chassagne-Montrachet-like bouquet of white flowers, lemon blossom, buttered stone fruits, and salty nuts and crushed rock-like nuances. It displays bright acidity, medium body, terrific concentration, and a rock star of a finish. Always one of my favorites in the lineup, it will benefit from a year in bottle and keep for 10-15 years in cold cellars.