Cultivar Oak Knoll Chardonnay 2013
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Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Showing fine care and handling of the grapes from the Oak Knoll District, the 2013 Cultivar Chardonnay is all about fruit purity. The wine highlights the area's core fruit quality, rich palate textures, and brisk acidity. Pair it with sautéed Petrale sole. (Tasted: October 2, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
Cultivar Wines was started by Jody Harris, and Gingy Harris Gable, founders of Caspar Estate Wines. The Estate is a 25 acre property located above the Napa Valley in the Rutherford Appellation. It has been family owned and operated since 1960, practicing organic and sustainable farming techniques to preserve, protect and maintain the environment. The property, which now contains fruit trees, over 800 Mission olive trees and about a quarter million honey bees, is an ideal setting for growing grapes, too. About 13 acres of vineyards were planted for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes. Caspar Estate wines express the unique terroir of the land, with firm tannins, fresh acidity, and remarkable structure. With 400-500 cases produced annually, Caspar Estate wine is offered by Allocation only. Click here to learn more.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
As one of Napa’s coolest sub-appellations, the area begs for diversity among its vineyards. Merlot and Chardonnay firmly compete with Cabernet Sauvignon for a place here. Some of Napa’s best Zinfandels also come from the Oak Knoll District.
Situated far in Napa’s southern end, Oak Knoll receives a strong cooling influence from both the San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Coast’s evening fog and breezes. Summer days are warm but on average ten degrees cooler than in St. Helena farther north up the valley; summer nights are chilly. A long growing season promotes for leisurely ripening of grape berries, resulting in an impressive balance of sugars, phenols and acidity.
Notable producers include Trefethen, one of the appellation’s oldest wineries, Robert Biale, legendary Zinfandel producer and Lewis Cellars, a family-run, hands-on establishment.