Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley 2023 750ml

The Napa Valley Chardonnay is a blend sourced from vineyards in Oak Knoll and Carneros, with up to 50% coming from the Haire Vineyard in Carneros. Crafted with 100% whole cluster pressing, native yeast, and malolactic fermentation in barrels, it is aged on the lees for 11 months in 33% new French oak, with no racking. The wine opens with an enticing nose of lemon and lime, complemented by lemon blossoms, rich cedarwood, and coriander cream aromas. It is medium-bodied with natural freshness and provides excellent balance and support for the rich fruit weight. The finish reveals a touch of reductive flinty minerality and cool wet slate, all framed by vibrant acidity and subtle grippy tannins attributed to the inclusion of some press juice—a beautifully layered Chardonnay with elegance and structure.

• Country: United States
• Region: California
• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White
• Alcohol by Vol: 14.1%

Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.