Winemaker Notes
Seafood, such as ceviche or a white fish in cream sauce, is a natural pairing for Collines Vineyard Chardonnay. Spaghetti carbonara would also make an interesting pairing. This richly styled Chardonnay with its toasty aroma finds an echo in aged Comté, a classic cheese from the Jura Mountains of France.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Pine Ridge is taking Chardonnay to a new level. The winery introduced their Carneros Collines Vineyard in 2011 and has never looked back. Winemaker Michael Beaulac wanted to bring the winery's Chardonnay up to the level of its Cabernet Sauvignon, and indeed he has succeeded. TASTING NOTES: This wine is multifaceted. Its complex aromas and flavors feature ripe core fruits, creamy oak, savory spices, and accents from the earth. Pair it with baked chicken breast accented with melted Comté (Tasted: April 25, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a smooth, floral white crisp in white flowers and a bite of grapefruit. The midpalate settles into more substantial elements of fresh pear and nutmeg, finishing in a hint of reduction.
Founded in 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards sits in the heart of the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, tucked beneath of ridge of pines that speak to the dramatic geologic origins of our home and unique soils. For over 40 years the winery has become a pioneer farming and vinifying Bordeaux grapes with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Pine Ridge Vineyards farms a collection of 160 acres of Napa Green sustainably certified estate vineyards across Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain and Carneros, including 47 acres in the Stags Leap District.
The winery’s Chenin Blanc + Viognier bottling started out as an experimental blend over twenty-five years ago and is now one of the most beloved and highly acclaimed white wines available. Original and unique, this fresh white wine blend is crafted to be fresh, fruity and easy to pair and enjoy. The wine has also inspired a Pine Ridge Sparkling wine also made with Chenin Blanc and a splash of Viognier.
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.