Winemaker Notes
This 2020 Chardonnay begins with aromas of lemon blossom, white nectarine, wet stone minerality, Bartlett pear, white flowers, and white tea. You are welcomed with flavors of Grenadier apple, notes of lemon cream, thyme, and salt roasted cashews. This wine is sleek and elegant with medium body and a palate supported by bright, food-friendly acid and subtle textural notes from the French oak and sur lie aging.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Chardonnay Estate is reflective and bright with a pale straw hue, and the nose is fresh with lilac, matchstick reduction, and chive. Medium-bodied and softly textured, with lemon pith and green apple skin, this is perfect for youthful drinking over the next few years.
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.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.