Chardonnay (2023)

About this wine

The 2022 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with inviting aromas of ripe green and golden apples, accented by fresh white peach and subtle oak notes. On the palate, it offers a silken texture with flavors of apple, citrus, and pear, balanced by refreshing acidity. The long finish is clean, with underlying hints of minerality, vanilla, and lemon. This wine is crafted from grapes grown in the cool Carneros region, known for its ideal conditions that maintain excellent balance between fruit characters and acidity. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels, with a portion undergoing malolactic fermentation, it achieves a harmonious blend of richness and freshness.

About the grape

Chardonnay, originally from France's Burgundy region, has become a cornerstone of Napa Valley winemaking. Its prominence in Napa was solidified in 1976 when a local Chardonnay outperformed esteemed French wines in a blind tasting, elevating the region's global reputation. Cakebread Cellars, established in 1973, has been instrumental in this evolution, producing their first Chardonnay that same year. Their 2022 Chardonnay continues this legacy, showcasing the adaptability and enduring appeal of the varietal in Napa's diverse terroir.

Quick facts

• 🍷 Cakebread Cellars' inaugural wine was a 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay, marking the beginning of their winemaking journey.
• 🍇 The 2022 Chardonnay is crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the cool Carneros region in Napa Valley, known for its ideal conditions for this varietal.
• 🪵 This vintage underwent fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, with 9.5% malolactic fermentation, resulting in a balanced wine with a creamy texture and refreshing acidity.
• 🍏 The wine exhibits aromas of ripe green and golden apple, fresh white peach, and light oak, leading to flavors of apple, citrus, and pear on the palate.
• 🏡 Cakebread Cellars remains a family-owned winery, with the second generation continuing the legacy of producing high-quality wines in Napa Valley.

Palate profile

Producer

Cakebread Cellars, founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread in Rutherford, California, began with a modest 22-acre vineyard. Over the decades, it has expanded to encompass 16 estate vineyards totaling 1,600 acres across Napa and Anderson Valleys, with 600 acres planted to vine. The winery is renowned for its commitment to sustainability, being one of the first to achieve Napa Green certification and implementing practices like organic farming and water conservation. In 2023, Cakebread Cellars celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of family-owned winemaking excellence.