Wine of the Week: 2007 Mayacamas Chardonnay ‘Mt. Veeder’

2007 Mayacamas Chardonnay ‘Mt. Veeder’

Mayacamas is one of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley, established in 1899 on the slopes of Mt. Veeder, but it sometimes gets lost in the constant search for the new. I’ve always loved its Chardonnays, and the 2007 is quite simply stunning. It is rare to find a Chardonnay of such quality at this price.

It’s had enough time in bottle to evolve into a thrilling expression of the varietal — complex, scented with lemon rind and melon, ripe and full in the mouth while still retaining a lilting acidity. This is a Chardonnay made for food, light on the oak and suffused with a bracing minerality.

Pour it for a smoked trout salad, seafood pasta or a butter-poached lobster.

Region: Napa Valley

Price: From $25 to $30

Style: Rich and creamy

What it goes with: Smoked fish, seafood pasta, lobster

Where to find it: Bristol Farms, https://www.bristolfarms.com; Duke of Bourbon in Canoga Park, (818) 341-1234, https://www.dukeofbourbon.com; Los Angeles Wine Co. in Los Angeles, (800) 854-8466, and Palm Desert, (760) 346-1763; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463, https://www.missionwines.com; Pavilions in Newport Coast, (949) 718-4990; Spirit Shop & Deli in Los Angeles, (323) 466-6828; Wally’s Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, https://www.wallywine.com; and Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, https://www.winex.com.

— S. Irene Virbila