Almost 50 years ago, Cakebread released its' very first wine: a 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay, and have been fine-tuning it ever since. Grapes for this wine come from the world-famous Carneros appellation in southern Napa Valley. This region sits just north of San Pablo Bay, whose influence provides the cool, windswept conditions that produce Chardonnay with ideal balance between fruit characters and acidity. Soils here are predominantly Haire Loam, a light clay that helps grapevines naturally regulate vigor for fruit of intense concentration.
The wine opens with lively aromas of ripe pear and chamomile. Flavors of ripe melon, lemon curd and apple frame the palate with hints of baking spice and lightly toasted brioche. The fresh acidity and crisp citrus notes are well-balanced by a hint of oak, leading to a long, harmonious finish.
93 James Suckling Generous aromas of preserved lemons, flint, grapefruit and brioche. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy, medium-bodied mouthfeel and bright acidity, giving flavors of yellow apples, sliced pears and baking spices. Well balanced, with underlying power.
