It’s nice to see more and more New York wineries making better and better stainless steel chardonnays, including this Leonard Oakes Winery 2010 Chardonnay ($15).

Sometimes steel chardonnay can be lacking on the nose, but with aromas of fresh-cut Golden Delicious and Gala apples and light floral overtones and subtle nutty lees character, the nose is interesting enough and leads into a medium-full bodied palate that is fruity — more apples and pears — with fresh, nicely incorporated acidity and a clean, lingering finish that shows just a bit of lemon and spicy lees.

Though not particularly complex or interesting, this is a well-made chardonnay with balance and subtle richness on the mid-palate.

Producer: Leonard Oakes Winery
AVA: New York
ABV: 12.6%
Price: $15*

(2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

2010, chardonnay, leonard oakes winery, Review