James Suckling 90
- Lots of sliced apple, lime and mineral character. A hint of cream. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean and fresh finish. Crisp and balanced. Drink now..March/2017

Tasting Notes
Golden straw in color. Aromas of bright golden delicious apples, Fuji apple and Bartlett pear fruit with hints of caramel and pumpkin pie spice. The flavors are rich, ripe orchard fruit with a hint of lemon curd and baked spiced apple. The balanced acidity helps maintain the focus and food pairing potential of this full bodied chardonnay.

Winemaker Notes
The depth and complexity of our Napa Valley Chardonnay comes from the broad range of vineyards that span the length of the valley, from the cooler microclimates of Carneros and Oak Knoll up through the warmer regions of Yountville and Rutherford. Each vineyard imparts a distinctive set of characteristics that, when blended, create a well-balanced whole. In particular, the wine reflects the richness of the up-valley grapes, which give a stamp of classic golden fruit that sets this wine apart.
"Chardonnay is a giving varietal,” explains Winemaker John Hazak. "As winemakers, we can play with it, coax forward its style and add layers and volume during winemaking.” A majority of this wine went through small-lot barrel fermentation, followed by sur lie aging with batonnage every three weeks. The distinctly ripe style and racy acidity of our Rutherford grapes developed dimensions and mouthfeel with complete malolactic fermentation, while the heady French oak married well with the supple nature of the fruit, giving a voluptuous softness to the wine.

Food Pairing
Pair this well-balanced Chardonnay with scallops or other rich seafood.