Kenwood Chardonnay 2018
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Wilfred
Wong
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
After settling overnight, the juice was fermented on a combination of French and Hungarian oak. After primary fermentation was complete, they allowed the young wine to continue to age in contact with the yeast lees for an additional six months stirring every few weeks. This classic method of sur lie aging gives the wine great viscosity and balance and a delicious creamy finish. During aging the wine then underwent a secondary malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity and add complexity. When aging was complete each vineyard lot was tasted by their winemaking team before being selected for their blend.
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Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay is pleasingly balanced and lovely on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows attractive aromas and flavors of ripe core fruit and hints of stones. Enjoy it with baked chicken and noodles in a creamy, mushroom sauce. (Tasted: April 15, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
Located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, Kenwood Vineyards is dedicated to producing premium wines truly representative of Sonoma County’s world-class vineyards.
Kenwood Vineyards was established in 1970 in the former Pagani Brothers Winery, a historic cellar dating back to 1906. Thoroughly refurbished and modernized, the facility now boasts more than 125 stainless steel fermenting tanks and large oak uprights, and 20,000 small French and American oak barrels, all devoted to Kenwood Vineyards’ “small lot” style of winemaking.
In addition to the 22-acre vineyard surrounding the winery, Kenwood Vineyards sources grapes from dozens of vineyards – many farmed sustainably, using natural soil amendments and pest controls whenever possible rather than chemicals - in Sonoma County’s best appellations, including Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Mountain. Each lot from each vineyard is kept separate throughout the winemaking process, enabling the winemaker to bring it to its fullest potential. This “small lot” or “cuvee” style of winemaking also enables the winemaker to draw on an exceptionally broad “palette” to assemble wines that showcase classic character, subtle complexity and superb balance. As a result, every Kenwood Vineyards wine – whether Table Wine Series, Sonoma Series, Reserve, Jack London Vineyard or Artist Series – is consistent in quality and consistently delicious.
California’s most praised white wine, Chardonnay is also the state’s most planted white grape variety. Diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of wine styles.
Chardonnay planted in the cooler, coastal zones takes on bright characteristics like lemon zest, key lime, green apple and wet flint. For this style, look to the chilly Sonoma Coast, Carneros, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands and Edna Valley.
The inland zones of California’s coast, such as the Russian River, Sonoma, Napa and Livermore Valleys maintain a more Goldilocks-esque climate where both styles go. Early picking retains acidity and creates a leaner style but leaving the grapes to hang creates an approachable Chardonnay, balancing richness and finesse.
Chardonnay also plays a major part in the sparkling wine production of the Anderson Valley and Carneros.