Alcohol: 14.2%
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Localization: Napa Valley, California, USA
Tasting Notes: The nose of the PlumpJack Chardonnay opens with a range of citrus notes – lemon, orange zest, pomelo, and key lime. Just behind these are the rich tropical notes of lychee and feijoa along with the sweeter, more delicate aromatics of white peach and honeysuckle. Underneath all of this is a hint of toasted hazelnuts and spice. The palate has similar flavors and a creamy texture reminiscent of lemon curd. The vibrant and bright acidity balances the creaminess and gives this wine life. This acidity, along with the beautiful structure, delivers an enduring finish.
Food pairing: Enjoy it with an oven-baked chicken in a wild mushroom sauce.
The Domain: Our Chardonnay grapes are sourced from two vineyards in the Napa Valley – one in Los Carneros and the other in St. Helena. The cooler Carneros site imparts this wine with lemon zest, green apple, and Bosc pear on the nose, while the warmer St. Helena site lends apricot, melon, and tropical notes. The Carneros vineyard also gives this wine a beautiful, bright, lively acidity, which is balanced by the creamy, rich texture of the St. Helena fruit. The touch of oak adds subtle layers to the nose and palate with traces of toasted almonds, vanilla, caramel, and spice. By foregoing malolactic fermentation, we are retaining the bright, lively malic acid, which helps to accentuate the fruit on the palate, and gives this wine its balance, drive, and length.
Our Reserve Chardonnay was fermented and aged in 64% stainless steel fermenters and 36% French oak Burgundy barrels. These fermentations were kept cool – 52 to 55 degrees F – to preserve the fresh fruit aromatics. The use of stainless steel also helps to retain the fresh, varietal character, while the oak adds depth and complexity. We do not allow this wine to undergo malolactic fermentation so that we can preserve the vibrant and lively acid on the palate along with the fresh aromatics.
