Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay 2018
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Winemaker Notes
Pale straw yellow in the glass, our 2018 Carneros Chardonnay bursts with aromas of lemon curd, pineapple, and light toast. A classic example of what Carneros fruit can offer, the wine is simultaneously layered and complex while alive with freshness and vibrancy. Barrel fermentation in 70% neutral French oak provides a medium richness while the natural acidity shines through. The structure and slight salinity are reminiscent of White Burgundy, and will complement a wide range of foods and feelings.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Chardonnay is a solid effort and will be loved by readers who like the richer, full-bodied style of Chardonnay. Buttered stone fruits, pineapple, white flowers, toasted bread, and brioche notes all flow to a beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay that has good acidity and a clean finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Merryvale Chardonnay plays melodically and dances well on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromatic ripe peach and an accent of oak. Enjoy its pleasing palate experience of plenty of ripe fruit and a silky palate. Try it with panko-battered, pan-fried butterfish. (Tasted: July 28, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A very typical Napa chardonnay with cooked apples, lemons and hints of yogurt and vanilla. Full-bodied, flavorful, creamy and lightly oily. Drink now
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Chardonnay rolls effortlessly out of the glass with notes of yellow apples, Bosc pears and honeydew melon plus hints of wet pebbles and baking bread. The medium-bodied palate is crisp, clean and refreshing, delivering a great intensity of apple and pear flavors with a lively lift on the finish.
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Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through conservation, renewable energy and sustainable farming practices at our three estate vineyards. Merryvale has received Napa Green Vineyard, Napa Green Winery and Bay Area Green Business certifications.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.