Riper and richer than the 2017, and boasting some intriguing sulfide-y complexity, the 2018 Chardonnay is nevertheless built along similar lines, incorporating indigenous-yeast fermentation in one-third new oak barrels, plus a significant proportion of malolactic fermentation. Toasted hazelnuts accent pear and melon fruit in a wine that's full-bodied and round on the palate but crisp and focused on the long finish.

Barrel fermented in one-third new oak, with about 40% malolactic fermentation, the 2017 Chardonnay comes across as slightly honeyed and toasty, with peachy accents to the crisp pineapple and citrus core. It's medium to full-bodied, finishing long and vibrant.

Cape Mentelle's 2011 Chardonnay has a pronounced nose of fresh pineapple, apricots and honeydew melon over nuances of cashews and honeyed toast. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is still very tight and youthful with the oak poking through the concentrated tropical flavors. It finishes long and toasty and should drink best 2013 to 2018+. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, NY, NY.

Fermented in French oak, 40% new, and aged in oak for 9 months, Cape Mentelle’s 2010 Chardonnay gives intense notes of ripe apricots, green guava and pineapple over aromas of cashews, meal, toast and cedar. Medium bodied, it offers a great concentration of tropical and stone fruit flavors in the mouth with a wonderfully creamy texture and good amount of racy acidity. The finish is long with a lingering toasty character and just a little cedar still poking through. Still very youthful, give this Chardonnay another 12-18 months in bottle and drink it 2013 to 2019+. Part of the large LVMH stable, Cape Mentelle has maintained its autonomy managing itself like the well established medium-large sized winery that it has become. Sourcing fruit largely from estate owned (it’s about 70% self-sufficient), well established vines is one of the secrets to their success as well as a great team, including Robert Mann, Tim Lovett and Simon Burnell at the winemaking helm. Having followed this property before LVMH days and when David Hohnen was in residence, in recent years I may hate the newly designed labels but remain a great fan of the wines. The Sauvignon / Semillon and Cabernet / Merlot are the real drivers of this winery in terms of volume, and very good value at that, though the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel (if you can find it) are the real jewels. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY.