Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve 2019
Trade Tools
America / Napa Valley
Chardonnay Reserve is vinified exclusively from grapes grown in Cakebread’s four Estate vineyards in the Carneros district of southern Napa Valley. These cool‐climate sites provide ideal conditions for the cultivation of world‐class chardonnay. A dozen superior clones of Chardonnay further enhance the quality and complexity of this wine. The grapes were night harvested and whole-cluster pressed, and each clonal selection was barrel fermented and aged separately. 38% of the blend was put through a secondary malolactic fermentation to foster a rich, creamy mouthfeel. The wine was aged for 15 months in 35% new French Oak with periodic stirring of the lees optimized wine’s complex aromas, rich texture and lush, concentrated flavor.
Harvest Note
The 2019 growing season began with ample rainfall to fill the soils. A long, warm summer with cool foggy mornings and plenty of sunshine allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, preserving the freshness in the fruit.
Tasting Note
Aromas of creamy golden apple, peach, and baking spice lead into intense, concentrated flavors of sweet apple, melon and pear. This is a balanced, fresh wine, with the kind of acidity that makes pairing with food easy.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION: Carneros
PH: 3.45
ACIDITY: 0.62 g/100ml
ABV: 14.4%
AGING: 15 months in French oak barrels, 35% new; 5% in puncheons, 60% in neutral French oak
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: 13%
Unique Selling Points
- A classic, oak-aged Carneros Chardonnay.
- A portion of the wine sees malolactic fermentation, to enhance richness and mouthfeel.
- 100% estate grown in 4 cool-climate Carneros district vineyards.
“Our emphasis on fruit quality captures the expression of blackberry and boysenberry in the wine.”
Niki Williams, Winemaker
About the Grape
Chardonnay
Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.
