2008 Domaine Lalande, Cotes de Gascogne, Chardonnay, France

If only more Chardonnays were made this way, we could enjoy more of it with food. This wine has a full-bodied personality but has enough acid to keep it interesting and also lets the food flavors penetrate its terrific soft-texture. Only 2,200 cases were made of this wine. It's entirely barrel-fermented using equal amounts of new, one, two and three year old barrels. The oak is extremely well integrated for a wine at this price point. making it a GREAT VALUE.
Parker gave this wine a score of 88: "It is very possible that Yves Grassa, the proprietor of Domaine Lalande, could be considered one of France’s finest white winemakers. Although this estate is located in a region known more for producing fine Armagnac brandies, Yves has been dedicated to growing “alternative” varietals and producing some of the freshest white wines to be found anywhere. …Harvest normally takes place during the first part of September, with the wines kept on the lees and stirred regularly (batonnage) until being bottled unfiltered around the first of April each year. The Lalande Chardonnay is rich in flavor, but not at all heavy. A great wine and a terrific value!!"