Winemaker Notes
Green apple and pear aromatics from Clarksburg Chardonnay are accompanied by subtle notes of apricot. Barrel fermenting half of this Chardonnay in American oak frames those amazing fruit tones with toasty baking spices and hints of vanilla. Malolactic fermentation in these barrels add to the complexity and provides a touch of butter leading into a plush, velvety mouthfeel. Only to finish with a crispness and high fruit tone, delivering a harmonic balance
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is rich, opulent with aromas of ripe green apple, peach, mulled spice, toasty vanilla cream and orange zest on the nose. Flavors on the palate suggest yellow apple, allspice and white grapefruit, transmuting into orange sherbet, mineral and a long, silky finish.
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.