171. Beaulieu Vineyard, BV Reserve Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley, 2001

$14.98; 13.5%

Product of my first visit to Napa Valley, and Diageo’s vineyards’ VIP Experiences… and the staff discounts! They made this a good-value Chardonnay from the best region for the grape – Los Carneros. More malo-lactic dominated than by the gentle oak, but in a Southern Burgundy style rather than an overdone US style. Mid-gold colour with narrow lemon / watery rim. Pronounced butter / maize nose, with underlying tropical fruit core – more mango than pineapple, though. Full-bodied, buttery flavour, but with good, fresh acidity and a toasty, long, textured finish.