Winemaker Notes
Delicate richness on the nose, bright lemon citrus, and honeysuckle floral notes with a hint of spice. A touch of baking spice adds weight to the crisp palate reminiscent of juicy fresh pineapple, nectarine, and crisp Fuji apple, leading to a creamy smooth finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 dough Chardonnay is pleasing and sleek, with a hint of wood on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers lively aromas and flavors of ripe apple, mineral, slate, and oak. Pair it with toasted baguettes topped with thinly-sliced chicken and melted Gruyere cheese. (Tasted: November 28, 2020, 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.