Cakebread Cellars, Reserve, Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley 2016

“The 2016 Chardonnay Reserve is all estate fruit from Carneros, with 43% coming from their vineyard on Cuttings Wharf Road. It is 100% barrel fermented using 34% new oak and aged on the lees for 15 months, with 8% native yeast fermentation and 50% malolactic fermentation. The nose bursts from the glass with bold, gregarious guava, pineapple upside-down cake and peach cobbler notions plus nuances of clover honey, almond croissant and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals a beautiful satiny texture and lovely freshness supporting the fantastic intensity of exotic fruit and peach preserves layers, finishing very long and spicy.”-91WA, 2019-2026