Here we have the 16 Mile Cellar hot vintage, best barrel (5 in total) offering of their top tier Chardonnay … with 20% new oak. This is a very brash Chardonnay with plenty of Chard-character without going over the top. Aromas are buttery, vanilla, spice dominant along with baked apple and poached pear – simply a lovely sniffing Chardonnay. Palate gives off a creamy sensation yet is spicy at the same time: vanilla cream and spiced apple take charge and fight it out on the tongue from beginning to end. This full-bodied (14%) wine is rich and luscious as the vintage dictates it should be. Release is scheduled for May 2015, get in line now. Price: $24.95 – Rating: **** ½