Winemaker Notes
This crisp, refreshing Chardonnay will complement a variety of foods, including fish prepared in lemon butter sauce, pasta in cream sauce, and herb-roasted chicken.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Clos du Bois, one of California's longest standing names in the marketplace continues to be a popular choice for the consumer basket satisfying those who are looking for well-made, no-nonsense wines. The 2016 Chardonnay is a workhorse on the dinner table. TASTING NOTES: This wine is fresh, pert, and crisp. Its aromas and flavors of ripe apples and tart citrus should pair famously with grilled shrimp over a bed of salad greens and other crunchy vegetables. (Tasted: September 28, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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.