Katie's Acre Chardonnay 2022
An exceptional single-vineyard Chardonnay.
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93 Points | Gold Medal
“Creme brulee; lively mouth feel with clean long finish” - Sunset Intl. Wine Competition
“Don’t you dare touch that tree.” These words from Katie, our Nana, preserved a giant old walnut tree when Gene, our Granddaddy, began planting our estate vineyards in the late 1960s. The tree still stands today, its magnificent canopy shading nearly an acre of land. We often gather under its majestic branches in a space we lovingly call Katie’s Acre, surrounded by the exceptional Chardonnay vineyard that is the sole source of this radiant wine.
Aromas of tropical nectar and creme brûlée, are layered with hints of tangerine and toasted brioche. This wine is bright on the palate with silky flavors of lemon curd and citrus leaf.
The preceding winter, which marked our second consecutive drought year, featured the lowest rainfall total in our entire history, going back to 1968. The vines grew vigorously during the warm and dry spring as the vineyard team did an excellent job with early weed control and irrigation. The summer months, from June through September, were all cooler than average, which slowed down the ripening process and allowed for fantastic flavor development. The yields were lower than usual, given the drought conditions, but the resulting wines are all excellent and reflect our unique location in the Oak Knoll District at the cooler southern end of Napa Valley.
Winery Chef Chris Kennedy recommends pairing this wine with fatty dishes, such as fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids, or creamed greens. Also consider ingredients like cheese, avocado, oil or butter, which will complement this wine’s crisp nature.
