The surprisingly evolved light gold-colored 1999 Chardonnay Hope’s Cuvée possesses plenty of buttery, lemon custard, and spicy oak in its aromas and flavors. It is made in a robust, full-bodied style. This dense, chewy Chardonnay should be consumed over the next year because of its fragile balance.

This opens with a muted but very pleasing nose of orange, pineapple, clove, almond and baked apple aromas. The palate’s tropical fruit is complemented by butterscotch, clove and allspice flavors. Soft but well-constructed, it’s a medium-weight wine with balanced fruit and well-utilized oak on the finish. ——W.E.(7/1/2001)—— 89