2023 Cakebread - Chardonnay Napa Valley HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

Cakebread Cellars was founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread, and Chardonnay was the very first wine the family ever made, setting the tone for everything that followed. More than fifty years later the winery is still known as much for its warm, welcoming style of hospitality as for its wine, and the Napa Valley Chardonnay remains the clearest link back to that founding vintage.

The fruit for this bottling comes largely from the cool Carneros appellation at Napa Valley's southern edge, where Pacific fog rolls in most mornings and slows ripening through the growing season. Haire loam soils here naturally keep vine vigor in check, concentrating flavor in the grapes. The 2023 growing season began with generous early rainfall that recharged the vineyards, supporting healthy, balanced vine growth through an extended ripening period. The wine is barrel fermented with a portion of new French oak, with part of the blend carried through malolactic fermentation to build texture without losing freshness.

In the glass it shows a light golden color, with aromas of ripe pear and chamomile leading into flavors of melon, lemon curd, and apple, accented by baking spice and a whisper of toasted brioche. Bright acidity keeps it lively through a long, harmonious finish. Pair it with roast chicken, seared scallops, or a creamy pasta dish.