The prices for Burgundy wines are high, so California is always an alternative. We taste two wines that should both be great.

The Oliver Leflaive 2010 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru needs longer aeration and then has vanilla, caramel, honey, blossoms, medium body and is long, complex and balanced. 18.3/20 points.

The Kistler 2012 Chardonnay Vine Hill is about half the price and shows how well Chardonnay from California can age. The wine has blossoms, vanilla, full body and is fresh, perfectly balanced, precise, long and appears elegant, fine and light-footed. The bottle was emptied very quickly. 19.3/20 points.