2019 Kreuth Chardonnay Alto Adige Cantina Terlan

A graceful chardonnay, whose clarity and originality make it stand out from the crowded Alto Adige and global fields of ambitious wines made from this grape. Just a hint of smoke, but not in an obviously oaky way, the dominant force being the tart-pear character that gives the wine both depth and vitality. Long, clean finish. Drink or hold.

Here once again is a Cantina Terlano white that punches above its price in this edition of 65,000 bottles. Showing lots of rich, ripe apricot and melon fruit, the 2019 Alto Adige Terlano Chardonnay Kreuth gives you a solid 10-year drinking window. It shows a bright yellow-gold color with rich fruit tones and a medium-weight approach that leaves ample room for the finer mineral nuances and a very light touch of oak spice. Especially notable are the yellow fruit tones and the preserved lemon.