Beau Lieu
THE Chardonnay was a departure from the buttery, toasty, richly oaked style that says “California”. But that’s because of minimal oak treatment, explained Jeffrey Stambor, director of winemaking at Beaulieu Vineyard. The Beaulieu Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 had that barely-there toastiness under apple-citrus notes, and a lovely poached pear finish. Restraint—the word came to mind and would come up again during the evening.