The 2018 Chardonnay Récolte Grand Cru, matured for around 18 months in barrel, offers an alluring combination of concentration and freshness. Its dynamic aromas segue from flint and citrus to baked apples and spice, and the palate is powerful and luxurious, juxtaposing mouthwatering acidity and full, spicy fruit. It finishes flavorful and flinty and deserves more time to unwind in bottle.

The 2017 Chardonnay Récolte Grand Cru has rich scents of apple pie, quince paste and honeycomb. The palate is bold and powerful, with expansive, honey-laced flavors in a satiny frame, finishing very long with just enough freshness.

The 2015 Chardonnay Recolte Grand Cru is a touch shy on the nose, opening to crushed rock and white flowers over a core of red apple skin, lemon confit and toast. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with layers of lemon, apple and fleshy yellow pear plus clotted cream and white flower nuances, with a creamy texture and very juicy acidity, finishing long, layered and wonderfully concentrated.

The 2014 Chardonnay Recolte Grand Cru offers pronounced notes of honeyed peaches, warm pineapple and ripe melon with hints of brioche, praline and crème br?lée. Medium to full-bodied, there is an appealing oiliness to the texture on the palate and tons of tropical fruit and savory layers, finishing with lingering spicy notes coming through. This should age gracefully over 4-6 years+.

The 2012 Chardonnay Recolte Grand Cru comes from the finest selected fruit from Domaine Serene's vineyards and is aged for 17 months in 71.5% new French oak. It has quite a potent bouquet with the new oak in control at the moment, although it is certainly in sync with the fruit - touches of honeysuckle, jasmine and a touch of ginger. The palate is medium-bodied with touches of nougat and nutmeg infusing the citrus fruit; the acidity is nicely judged, although I find that the Evanstad Reserve Chardonnay displays more delineation and tension on the finish.