Williams Selyem, Chardonnay Drake, Russian River Valley

From a well-cellared bottle kindly provided by a restaurateur friend (P.R.), this 15-year-old unfiltered Chardonnay is something special. With a hazy, medium-gold robe, it flaunts a bouquet of white flowers, citrus peel, pear, caramel and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic and with harmonious alcohol (14.8%), it is layered and dense in the middle. The oak is so tightly integrated that this bottle could be used in a viniculture course about oak's proper use. Long and crisp on the finish, it is …

Drink up!

Medium gold. Beautifully balanced, drinking in a sweet spot right now. Surprising.

When I bought this on WineBid for $25, I had modest expectations. This bottle, however, is just killer. A bit cloudy, the color does not suggest an older wine. There is some creme brûlée on the nose that carries over very softly to the palate. Terrific acidity with grapefruit, peach flavors intermingled. My wife guessed a 2009 chard. Still fresh and going strong. I wish I had another bottle or two.

Drank with the Meyersons for Open that Bottle Night

2000 Williams Selyem RRV Chardonnay 1/17/04 at home. Intense yellow, somewhat cloudy. Gentle, appley fruit nose. Tropical, banana-like fruit in the mouth. 4-11-15-7-87/100

Blind California-grown Bordeaux varieties: Blind White 1 - Sweet wax and apple nose. A bit leesy with more sweet apple fruit on the palate. Decent juice.

Vineyardgate Wine Tasting: Top-Flight California Chardonnays. 89/100.