Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, 2020, 750ML

Feature

Tasting Note

This Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with aromas of ripe golden apple, white peach, and light oak. On the palate, apple and pear characteristics are balanced by fresh acidity, and the finish is clean, with appealing hints of apple and lemon intermingling with notes of minerality. This is a versatile pairing wine—great with grilled seafood and nearly any selection of cheeses.

Winemaking

Grown in the cool Carneros conditions that maintain excellent balance between fruit characters and acidity in grapes.

The grapes are harvested at night in small batches and directly pressed as whole cluster. Harvested between August 18 – September 10, 2020. The must is then transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. A portion of the wine (4%) underwent malolactic fermentation. The malolactic fermentation is partially completed, and the wine ages for 8 months in 33% new French oak barrels with lees stirring to enhance texture.

Winery

In 1972 Jack and Dolores Cakebread purchased the Sturdivant Ranch in Rutherford, and started to farm grapes. By 1974 the winery is built, and the first wine is released, the 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay, with fruit coming from the Carneros appellation.

By 1978 the estate was producing Cabernet Sauvignon from its own vineyards, and by 1979 Bruce Cakebread join the business as a winemaker being graduated from UC Davis.

During the 80's the vineyards holdings and winery are expanded, new varieties start to be produced. In 1994 the Estate concludes the replanting of its vineyards attacked by phylloxera in the late 80's.

During the 2000's the family expands the acquisition of vineyards in Napa and Sonoma and concludes the last expansion of the winery. In 2008 Cakebread becomes the second winery to achieve Napa Green certification. The winery continue its commitment to sustainability to this day.