Markham Reserve Chardonnay 1996
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For 45 years, Markham Vineyards has been a leader in crafting world-class Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley, with Merlot taking center stage. They honor the heritage of the remarkable Napa Valley wine growing region with every grape grown, every wine bottled, every sip savored. From decades of sustainable farming to our unwavering passion for Merlot, they celebrate the adventurous spirit of Napa while embracing the unique voice of the land. "Merlot is the flagship wine here at Markham. With 260 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards and land, each of our Merlot wines are reflective of the distinctive AVAs across the Napa Valley," Kimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker. Each of their exceptional wines is a nuanced expression of the region's character, born of the soil and nurtured with respect for yesterday's successes and a passion for tomorrow's discoveries.
Markham has always embodied a spirit of creativity and collaboration. From building the iconic stone cellar, to firing a cannon annually in the vineyards, to crafting their signature Merlot, the Markham story continues to evolve, grow and be enriched by each voice's unique mark of character.
WOMEN-LED WINEMAKING & VITICULTURE TEAM
Markham is honored to have Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls at the helm of the Markham winemaking team. When Kim began her career three decades ago, she was one of the first female winemakers in the Napa Valley. Today, women winemakers in Napa Valley still only represent 12% of the total, and Kim remains among the very few who specialize in Merlot.
VINEYARDS
"Great wines can only develop from superior grapes,” said Bruce Markham, Founder. Markham's 260 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards and land span the Napa Valley from north to south. The diversity of soil, climate and terrain in their vineyards offer Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls an extraordinary palette of flavor and texture at harvest time, adding depth and nuance to each and every Markham wine.
SUSTAINABILITY ISN’T SOMETHING THEY DO – IT'S WHO THEY ARE
It's woven into the fabric of Markham's being and considered at every touchpoint, from soil to fruit and cellar to glass. The character of Markham's wines is intrinsically tied to the health of the soil and the vines, and Markham is committed to delivering excellence beyond just the wine inside the bottles. Since July 2022, Markham's winery and estate vineyards are certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. For Markham sustainability made includes the following:
• 100% Wastewater Recycling
• 100% Environmentally Preferred Packaging
• 100% of Grape Pomace Used for Compost
• 100% Deep Green Energy
• 100% Recycling Program
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
One of the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. White wines from Napa Valley are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific wine characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth red wines with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Napa Valley wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.