The 2005 Chardonnay Convento dell’ Annunciata is a gorgeous wine endowed with admirable clarity and precision. Varietal fruit, minerals and sweet toasted oak flow from this taut, focused Chardonnay from Lombardy. The wine closes with an understated yet brilliant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2013. Bellavista is arguably the most important producer of sparkling wines in Italy as measured by quality. The estate’s top cuvees spend anywhere from 36 to 60 months on their lees, which gives them a level of complexity and body that few, if any, Italian methode champenoise wines can match. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900