We could have predicted this one, folks! Today’s wine was selected by Agent White as his Top Wine of 2018. Among all of the wines that we featured in 2018, today’s Chateau Lane 2013 Reserve Berry Lane Vineyard Coombsville Napa Valley Chardonnay was his very favorite. The last time we featured this wine, our Operatives loved it too. This wine was also one of our most popular wines of the year.

What did we tell you about this wine, the last time that we showcased it? Read on:

Chateau Lane Winery has become a Wine Spies Operative favorite in recent months. Their wines are among our most popular because they deliver incredible value for your money. Today’s Chateau Lane 2013 Reserve Berry Lane Vineyard Coombsville Napa Valley Chardonnay is a creamy, delicious treat with exceptional fruit. This wine is limited, so reserve yours soon.

This Chardonnay has perfect clarity and the color of 24-carat gold. It has a pleasant subdued nose of apple, Bartlett pear, candied ginger, subtle lemon verbena, and caramel. This wine is extremely delicious, with pear, peach, nectarine, tangerine and kiwi fruit up front, fading to very interesting ginger snap and thyme on the finish. This Chardonnay achieves perfect balance where so many fail. It’s just such a delight - absolutely lush with a round mouthfeel that evenly coats the entire palate. You’ll want something a little different for this Chardonnay - pop this wine at the beginning of dinner, alongside a plate of our Mango fish tacos.

This is another MEGA QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) wine from our friend, winemaker Rudy Z. We’ve been showcasing the wines of Rudy Zuidema since back in 2007 when we first met him. Rudy’s winemaking resume reads like a who’s who of the luxury wine trade. He’s made wines for Cuvaison and Honig Vineyard, where he was the assistant winemaker working alongside James Hall of Patz and Hall Wine Company. He later went on to guide winemaking at Robert Craig Winery where he focused on making luxurious, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and the Napa Valley floor. Rudy later became winemaker and vineyard manager for Ehlers Estate and then general manager, winemaker and vineyard manager for White Cottage Ranch, where he converted the property to a certified organic and biodynamic estate.