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 flavors.

90 Points
Wine Enthusiast
2018 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2018 growing season was a dream come true. Early spring rains replenished the soils, clusters ripened evenly over a long, slow summer with no heat spikes, and grapes reached full maturity right on time. Yields at harvest were abundant and of very high quality.
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 easy.
Food Pairing
Enjoy with rich, creamy pastas, a cheese plate, or seafood.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION: Carneros
PH: 3.38
ACIDITY: 0.69 g/100ml
ABV: 14.1%
AGING: 15 months in French oak barrels, 35% new
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: 38%
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.

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.
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