For McIntyre’s winemaker, a little spell in the cellar makes for a more worldly white wine. He’s right.

McIntyre Vineyards just released their 2018 Block K1 Chardonnay. And if you are thinking, “whoa – that’s pretty mature for a white wine,” you are on the money. Most are pushed to the public months or perhaps a year after bottling.

For the Block K1 – and for his other whites, for that matter – winemaker Byron Kosuge likes to give them time. He allows natural yeast fermentation and as the wine develops, Kosuge selects the barrels from this block that reflect his feel for the vintage. This particular wine rested for seven months in neutral French oak, which is not out of the ordinary. However, the winemaker then set it aside in the cellar to mellow in the bottle. Such patience makes for a Chardonnay that will win over even those who avoid whites.

It offers aromas of sliced apple and plump citrus, with a lush impression of stone fruit and soft vanilla – a compelling introduction that follows on the palate. The wine opens gently, creamy with a calm, nutty character. The fruits emerge mid-palate, but they don’t dance or dazzle like a young Chardonnay. Nor do they sag under the buttery heft of the over-oaked California style. Instead, the bright sensations of peach, apple and citrus take a tranquil pause over the palate, easing into a finish rounded by earthy spice. It’s more thoughtful than brisk – a composed wine that can be considered at leisure by the glass, but also welcomes rich meals of the sort served at Easter gatherings.

McINTYRE VINEYARDS, 169 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. 626-6268, mcintyrevineyards.com