Segal's Chardonnay Special Reserve

Bright straw color. Nice citrusy nose with notes of peaches and green apples. Medium-bodied, with notes of apples, apricot and almonds, the oak is barely noticeable. The mid palate is a bit hollow, there is some nice lemon pith on a slightly bitter finish, good acidity. Not bad.

Nose: reserved but pretty, with under ripe banana peel, lemon, vanilla and butter. It suggests full malolactic fermentation completion and oak barrel aging. The palate is full and round with mouth coating high viscosity. There is sweet mango sorbet and vanilla custard, along with unexpected but pleasant cucumber and zucchini. The finish is persistent and lush. This is a no-brainer for lovers of full-bodied, oaked chardonnay and can compete with most California chardonnays of this ilk at this price.