2017 Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay ($22)

With pineapple, green apple, and tropical fruits on the nose, you might be expecting a bright, crisp high acid Chardonnay.

And, this Hess Collection Chardonnay delivers the bright fruit flavors as well as a super creamy smooth finish.

Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking at Hess, says this is achieved by putting 70% of the Chardonnay through stainless steel fermentation to retain the wonderful fruit flavors. The remaining 30% fermented in oak - 19% of which is new French oak.

Only 30% of the blend is allowed to undergo the secondary fermentation.

The aging of this Hess Collection Chardonnay is done for nine months in the barrel with the lees being stirred weekly for first four months.

This is a truly excellent Chardonnay from Napa Valley. And, at this price, it’s well worth being a Behind the Cork™ wine of the week! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications