Amalie Robert Heirloom Cameo Chardonnay, 2011

I reported last year and the year before on Amalie Robert's 2011 Her Silhouette Chardonnay. That beautiful wine was unoaked with no malolactic fermentation. This wine, made from Dijon clone grapes from the same vineyard, is the exact opposite--barrel fermented and matured in one large French oak puncheon, then matured in new oak and given extended time on its lees plus malolactic fermentation. The works. And it too is excellent, although in a different way.

Light yellow, bright and youthful despite its age. Aromas of lime, pineapple, spice and white flowers. A rich wine but oh so elegant. Silky mouthfeel and well delineated flavors of fruit, spice, minerals and toast. Long finish is punctuated by a distinct note of ripe apple.
 

On the second night, after being re-corked, this wine is even better..;and more what I expected. The color is deeper as a result of more exposure to air and the smells and flavors are also deeper and richer. Very aromatic: flowers, tropical fruit, honeysuckle and spice. Full on the mid-palate with a slight leesy effect. Again, the distinct note of ripe apple on the finish