Montes Chardonnay Alpha 2015

While Chardonnay is grown in several places across the US, California is the main centre of production. Styles from here are dependant on whether the wines come from warmer areas (such as inland Napa) where there are hints of tropical fruit, whereas cooler, coastal areas will be more akin to the French versions.

Chardonnay has had a rather bad rap in recent years. While it's been some time since the huge over-oaked buttery versions primarily from Australia were being poured in your local bars, there's is still a strong residual 'ABC' (anything but chardonnay) brigade.