The 2016 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate will give a Grand Cru Chablis a run for its money. Coming from a south-facing amphitheater consisting of rocky, broken soils, and aged in 56% new French oak, it offers more oyster shell, lemon curd, salinity, and seabreeze-like characteristics as well as a fresh, incredibly elegant, medium to full-bodied style on the palate. This chiseled, exotic Chardonnay is going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and cruise for a decade or more. It’s world-class.

94+ The 2016 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate leaps from the glass with electric lemonade, lime cordial and fresh grapefruit scents with touches of yuzu, lightly browned toast, marzipan and peach blossoms. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is seriously zesty with a refreshing backbone and long, chalky finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown