Winemaker Notes
Hat Strap Chardonnay's aromas of golden delicious apple, pineapple, and lemon curd lead to flavors of golden peach, macadamia nut, pineapple, and lightly toasted oak. The finish is long, rich and smooth.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of lemons, salted nuts, wet stones and orange blossoms. The palate is bright and focused with nice tension. Pastry and spice tones in the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose of this Chardonnay leads with aromas of fresh pineapple, tropical citrus, and lemon blossoms, followed by a brightly acidic palate with flavors of nectarine, candied ginger, flowers, and lemon peel that echo all through the long finish. Exceptional value here.
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Wine Spectator
Supple and elegant, with lightly spiced apple pastry, pear and apricot flavors on a sleek and juicy frame. Details of jasmine, honeysuckle and lemongrass emerge on the finish, with accents of candied ginger.
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.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.