Blackstone Winemakers Select Chardonnay 2015 Monterey County, California, USA 75cl

Blackstone made its name as one of California’s most recognisable everyday labels, a brand built on approachable, fruit-led wines that over-deliver for the money. The Winemaker’s Select range is its core, chosen to be poured and enjoyed rather than studied, and this Chardonnay sits squarely in that easygoing tradition.

The fruit is drawn from Monterey County, a long coastal corridor cooled by wind and fog funnelling in from Monterey Bay. That steady maritime influence is one of the reasons the county has become such a reliable home for Chardonnay: it lets the grapes ripen slowly, holding on to freshness while still filling out in the warm California sun.

The 2015 vintage now carries a little bottle age, softening its edges and adding a gentle roundness. This is not a wine built for the long haul, so it is showing at an easy, generous stage and is best enjoyed for its ripe, mellow fruit rather than kept any longer.

In the glass it offers apple and pear, a touch of citrus and a lick of toasted oak and vanilla. The style is smooth and approachable, with enough weight to feel comfortable but no shortage of freshness on the finish. It is the sort of Chardonnay that suits a wide audience, neither too lean nor too rich.

Serve it well chilled alongside roast chicken, creamy pasta, grilled fish or a simple risotto. It is an unfussy, crowd-pleasing Californian white for midweek meals and easy gatherings, and it rarely needs much thought beyond pulling the cork.