I have had mixed emotions about past offerings of the Cuvee Allier as the wood was often too aggressive. However, the winery appears to have achieved the proper balance between wood and fruit with the 2000 Chardonnay Cuvee Allier, as the restrained oak adds subtlety and complexity. Yields were a minuscule 1.45 tons of fruit per acre, and the wine was barrel fermented with frequent lees stirring. It offers notes of buttery fruit, honeyed lemons, a touch of orange skin, and ripe apples. With medium body, delicious fruit, excellent concentration, and fine purity, it is a serious, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay. Trust me, I taste thousands of New World Chardonnays selling for 2-3 times the price that are not as good as this offering. Drink it over the next 12-18 months. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates From Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767