Castillo de Monjardín Chardonnay 2025

Castillo de Monjardin Chardonnay comes from Bodegas Castillo de Monjardin at Villamayor de Monjardin in D.O. Navarra, in the centre of the region at the foot of the Pyrenees. The area is cool and French-influenced in its grape choices, with Chardonnay planted alongside Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon across the estate's vineyards. The Pyrenean foothills bring cool nights and a fresh climate that hold acidity and aromatics in the ripening Chardonnay. This is a young wine made without oak, so the fruit and freshness lead and the wine stays light and clean on the palate. The colour is pale straw. The nose is fresh and fruit-driven, with crisp green apple, ripe melon and a light banana note over white flowers. The palate is light and bright, with pear, white peach and citrus peel carried by lively acidity to a clean finish. Without barrel ageing this shows the orchard and stone fruit of the grape directly rather than any wood spice. Serve well chilled at 9 to 11C. It works with roast chicken, white fish and roasted root vegetables.