2009 SIGNORELLO CHARDONNAY HOPE'S CUVEE NAPA

(89 Ponts) The 2009 Chardonnay Hope’s Cuvée is an attractive, succulent wine laced with tangerine blossoms, mint, flowers and rich tropical fruit. It shows terrific balance and plenty of depth in an extroverted yet harmonious style. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. This is a strong set of wines from Signorello. Pierre Birebent is the winemaker. Luc Morlet consults on the wines as of 2010. I also tasted the 2008 reds for reference, and quality is definitely on the rise since those wines were made. Padrone is a selection of the estate’s best barrels, but the best barrels don’t always equate to a significantly better wine, especially when one takes into account the difference in price. 198, The Wine Advocate