90pts James Suckling

A vivid, crisp and refreshing chardonnay with fresh lemons, warm herbs and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Crunchy and straightforward with a mouthwatering finish.

Winemaker Notes

This wine is crisp, with lovely aromas of lemon, jasmine, white peach, and lavender. On the palate, the bright acidity is supported by flavors of honeydew melon and citrus, delivering a refreshing finish.

The preceding winter, which marked our second consecutive drought year, featured the lowest rainfall totaling our entire history, going back to 1968. The vines grew vigorously during the warm and dry spring as the vineyard team did an excellent job with early weed control and irrigation. The summer months, from June through September, were all cooler than average, which slowed down the ripening process and allowed for fantastic flavor development. The yields were lower than usual, given the drought conditions, but the resulting wines are excellent and reflect our unique location in the Oak Knoll District at the cooler southern end of Napa Valley.

Our Signature Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with Chef Chris’ Cioppino. The classic acidity cuts through the richness of the tomatoes, while the wine’s flavors complement the savory fish and shellfish ingredients.