Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesSubtlety and good balance are the hallmarks of this medium- to full-bodied, nicely layered and quietly rich wine. Modest notes of baked apples, pineapples and nutmeg fill the palate while a toasty, lemony accent keeps it dancing.
The lemon custard-scented 2021 Chardonnay Proprietor Selection is entirely barrel fermented and underwent full malolactic fermentation. Hints of pencil shavings and white peach also appear on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-boded and generous but reined in by some gentle phenolics that leave a silky texture behind on the lingering finish. It should drink well for at least four or five years.
Fruity and tropical chardonnay with aromas of grapefruit, lemon curd, melon and pineapple. It’s medium-bodied, with juicy yellow fruit and a clean and fresh finish. Drink now.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.
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.