What We’re Drinking – Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

Baked apples and toast flow up on the nose. The palate is rich and round, baked apples and pears swimming with vanilla cream and toasty pastry. Lemon chiffon gives a sweet but bright tartness to tame the fruit and wood. The baked fruit lingers. This is a crowd-pleasing Chardonnay you can pour for anybody. Pair with crab cakes. Recommended. 89 points. DBH

WHO: Rodney Strong Vineyards
WHAT: Chardonnay
WHEN: 2015
DESIGNATION: Chalk Hill
WHERE: Sonoma County, California
HOW MUCH: $22 (media sample)
POINTS: 89