Schug Carneros Chardonnay 2021
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James
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Winemaker Notes
This classic Carneros Chardonnay was grown primarily on the Schug Estate vineyard, with additional barrels from the Wildcat Vineyard and Thornton Ranch. It was fermented and aged on the lees ("sur-lie") in small French Oak barrels, with judicious new oak introduced. Malolactic fermentation was not induced, allowing the wine to retain its natural acidity and varietal focus. The result is a wine that is both rich and powerful, while refreshing and elegant on the finish. It has a ripe, spicy tropical bouquet with flavors that suggest citrus, pear, and spiced apples. Well-balanced acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish, making it an excellent wine with food. Try it with cream soups, rich seafood, fowl, veal, and pasta dishes.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Lots sourced from four vineyards (including Schug's estate property) were fermented separately and aged sur lie in small French oak bar rels. Bolstered by toasty cedar and keen acidity, this dynamic, creamy, and balanced white pres ents notes of orange peel, vanilla wafer, and white flowers.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Schug Carneros Chardonnay is at once rich and elegant. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of ripe apples, fragrant and savory spices, and dried earthy notes. Serve it with steamed black cod in a light ginger sauce. (Tasted: November 24, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
Delicious pear and apple flavors are lightly accented by vanilla in this generous, well-balanced wine that was aged on the lees for eight months. A full body, smooth texture and well-concentrated fruit flavors make it a pleasure to sip.
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James Suckling
Aromas of sliced apples and white peaches with raw almond and nougat undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with toned acidity and quite a ripe fruit character with savory notes. More rich and mellow style with a flavorful finish.
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Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California’s first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets (Backus and Eisele Vineyards).
Drawing on his long experience in the production of fine wines in both Europe and California, Walter set up his own winery with his wife Gertrud in the cool, marine climate of the Carneros Appellation. Here he could focus on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals that had always been close to his heart.
Schug Carneros Estate Winery combines old world understanding and tradition with modern winemaking techniques. By using only the finest grapes available, and maintaining the best winemaking values, these wines have gained acceptance worldwide as true contemporary classics.
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.