Chasseur Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2008

This beauty has a bright, yet creamy-rich nose redolent of sweet Fuji apples, lemon zest and roasted grain, which counterpoint background scents of toasted hazelnuts and bees wax to make a stylish marriage. It proves even more vivid on the palate, where cutting citric notes and mineral elements bring a chiseled Chablis-like firmness to flavors of apple, preserved lemon, roasted grain and toasted hazelnut. The finish is lingering and wonderfully deep, with fruit tones of apple jam, pear and white peach joining seamlessly with luxurious hazelnut-Marjolaine cake notes. Gorgeous now, it will be a graceful ager.