With respect to the 2008 Chardonnay, the wine underwent 95% malolactic fermentation and was aged on the lees for 12 months. It has very good definition on the nose, more so than the 2007. There is a sense of reserve here and with time a touch of rosewater. The palate is well balanced with a waxy entry, displaying fine minerality with crisp citrus fruit, lime and crushed stone on the finish. This is an excellent Martinborough Chardonnay. Drink now-2015. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1460

A medium-bodied Chardonnay with a slight lactic note to it, the 2008 Martinborough Vineyard Chardonnay is crisp and long on the finish, highlighting its flavors of vanilla and pineapple. Might improve with another year or two in the bottle.——J.C.(6/1/2011)—— 87

Martinborough Vineyards suffered frost damage in November and then the coldest temperatures during flowering in sixty years devastated the Chardonnay crop. The 2007 Chardonnay has a very lemony nose: grapefruit, tangerine and a touch of dried lychee. The palate has a creamy entry with noticeable new oak, despite a modest 25% new barriques. Hints of ginger inflecting the wax-textured, almond tinged finish with good persistency, this should be considered a success given the travails of the growing season. Drink now-2014. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1460