Winemaker Notes
Hailing from the coveted Carneros reign, this wine leads with zesty lemon and and guava aromas that are tempered by notes of vanilla and caramel covered apples. Delicious layers of nutmeg and crème brûlée seamlessly combine with hints of toasted oak and elegant waves of fresh acidity on the palate, leading to a bright finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A ripe and relaxed wine that's luxurious in texture and beautifully rich in fruit and oak spices. Full-bodied and lush in mouthfeel, offering lime zest, poached pear and subtle butter and creme brulee flavors that last through a lingering finish.
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Wine Spectator
There’s an appealing, creamy texture,with notes of lemon cheesecake, lemon zest, tangerine and freshly grated ginger wrapped around a core of crisp acidity. Shows details of lemon verbena, lemon blossoms, toasted brioche and spices on the firming finish.
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.