2018 Napa Valley Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is soft, open-knit and wonderfully inviting. There is a relaxed feeling to the 2018 that seems to reflect the very nature of the personality. Creamy and sensual, the 2018 is impeccable today. It will age well for a number of years to come.
Critic scores
The Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Chardonnay is a gorgeous, luscious Chardonnay loaded with character. Plush fruit and soft contours bring out all of the natural richness of various Wente Clone Chardonnay selections. Almond paste, dried flowers, butter, chamomile, apricot and tropical fruit all build into a striking crescendo of flavors and textures. This is an especially oily, weighty style of Napa Valley Chardonnay. As always, the Napa Valley Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from Hudson and Hyde.
The 2018 Chardonnay is fresh, delicate and airy, with striking aromatic lift and energy, but a bit less oiliness than is often the case. Citrus confit, white flowers and white pepper add brightness, but it is the wine's energy and tension that are so distinctive today. This is such a pretty and promising wine.
A barrel sample, the 2018 Chardonnay bursts from the glass with bold notes of warm peaches, spiced pears and applesauce with hints of candied ginger, honeycomb and lime cordial. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has electric intensity, with a refreshing line of racy acid cutting through the tightly wound stone fruit and spicy layers, finishing long and honey laced.