Napa Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2022
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 10 months in 33% new French Oak with periodic stirring of the lees optimized wine’s complex aromas, rich texture and lush, concentrated flavors.
93 Points
jamessuckling.com
2022 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2022 season was mild and even, with summer days characterized by moderate heat and steady ripening. Drought conditions persisted across Napa Valley, they allowed the vines to naturally control their vigor and yields, resulting in small, concentrated berries ideal for complex and long-lived Chardonnay.
Tasting Note
A bouquet of spice-poached pears, ripe apple, honey, and a touch of vanilla on the nose lead to a rich texture with a creamy mid-palate and lively acidity. Well-balanced and refreshing, the long finish highlights notes of golden pear and apple.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION: Carneros
PH: 3.47
ACIDITY: .62/100ml
ABV: 13.8%
AGING: Aged for 14 months in a mix of French oak barrels and large oak puncheons
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.
