From some of the oldest vines in California’s Russian River Valley, Hartford Court’s Four Hearts Chardonnay delivers apple, lemon and toasty oak with flinty minerality. Silky and powerful yet beautifully balanced — a benchmark for expressive, age-worthy California Chardonnay.

The guru of all cult winemakers in South Africa, Eben Sadie, brings meticulous care to his wines with old vines, low yields, old barrels and concrete fermenters all allow the grapes to speak of their terroir. Palladius is a blend of up to nine varieties, with Chenin Blanc dominating and adding freshness, from a multitude of old parcels and soil types.

Graacher Himmelreich is a renowned vineyard that borders the southern edge of its more famous neighbour Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The Auslese examples typically show grapefruit citrus and green apple aromas, with honeyed overtones, wonderful density and pronounced minerality carried along by signature Mosel racy acidity.