Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve 2017
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. 14% 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 to optimize the wine’s complex aromas, rich texture and lush, concentrated flavors.
Harvest Note
2017 marks another vintage of stellar quality fruit from Napa. We experienced a particularly long stretch from bloom to veraison, allowing for wonderful character development in Chardonnay grapes. Progressively warmer temperatures fully ripened Chardonnay, and we were able to bring in grapes before a heat spike, keeping sugar levels in check.
Tasting Note
Aromas of creamy golden apple, peach, and baking spice lead into intense, concentrated flavors of sweet apple, melon and pear. Balanced acidity, freshness and evolving layers of complexity are the signatures of this remarkable, rich, bold Chardonnay Reserve.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION: Carneros
PH: 3.42
ACIDITY: 0.69g / 200ml
ABV: 14.1%
AGING: 15 months in 35% new French Oak
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: 14% of blend saw malolactic fermentation
Unique Selling Points
- 100% estate grown in 4 cool-climate Carneros district vineyards.
- Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 15 months
- A blend of more than a dozen Chardonnay clones offer distinct yet complementary components in the finished wine
“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.
