2021 Silenus - Chardonnay Napa (750ml)
Silenus Winery traces its roots to 1968, when Bruce Newlan, a former rocket scientist who fell in love with Napa during vacations, replanted a walnut orchard into vines in the southwestern corner of Napa Valley. That property, now part of the Oak Knoll District, laid the foundation for what would become Silenus. The 2021 Chardonnay comes from the Materra Vineyard, situated near the Napa River within the Oak Knoll District, an area known for morning fog and mild afternoons that extend hang time on the vine.
Winemaking and terroir
- Grapes were whole-cluster pressed, then the juice settled briefly before moving into French oak barrels, with 30% new oak.
- The wine spent ten months aging sur lie, a process that builds texture and complexity while keeping the fruit character bright rather than heavy.
Tasting notes
Aromas of honeydew melon, lemon verbena, and green apple lead into a palate rounded out by white nectarine, pear, and a touch of praline. The oak influence remains subtle, layered beneath the fruit, and the finish carries a creamy richness balanced by crisp acidity.
Food pairings
- Pan-seared scallops
- Roast chicken
- A wedge of aged gouda