Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve 2016
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 34% new French Oak with periodic stirring of the lees to optimize the wine’s complex aromas, rich texture and lush, concentrated flavors.
Gold Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2016 vintage
92 Points
internationalwinereport.com
2016 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2016 Napa Valley growing season began with a steady rain into late spring. An early bud break caused by warm spring weather was followed by a relatively cool season, resulting in well-balanced conditions that allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, with concentrated flavors and high, yet balanced, acidity.
Tasting Note
The striking golden color of this wine reflects abundant yellow apple, vanilla, baking spice and brioche aromas. In the mouth, these scents morph into intense flavors, enhanced with fresh melon and pear. Orange blossom notes provide a hint of citrus, before the lush, creamy and intense flavors lead to an even touch-of-vanilla and oak finish. 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: 3.36
ACIDITY: 0.69 g/100ml
ABV: 14.3%
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.
“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.
