Sourced from the southernmost vineyard in Napa County, often tapped as a source for sparkling wines, Arnot-Roberts’ bottling of Watson Ranch Chardonnay was fermented in stainless steel and aged in neutral French oak for 10 months. The nose is clean and focused, showing jasmine, lemon meringue and freshly baked pastries that lead to a taught, structured palate. Hold this wine for the next couple of years for a touch more richness to come to the fore.

The 2018 Chardonnay Watson Ranch is creamy, open-knit and expressive, and also the most approachable of the Chardonnays in the range. Orchard fruit, chamomile, almonds and dried flowers all meld together seamlessly. This is a very pretty Chardonnay from a cool site at the southern end of Napa Valley. -- Antonio Galloni