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2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay

2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay

2021 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

This is 2021 Napa Valley Chardonnay is bright and lively with fresh notes of lemon verbena, orange blossom, Golden Delicious apple, and Asian pear, with Tarte Tatin and brioche toast. Mouthwatering and crisp, the palate is focused with a lean backbone of acidity balanced by layers of honeysuckle, hazelnut, and white peach, all supported by a round, creamy mouthfeel. The long, persistent finish offers a slight flintiness that is inviting and intriguing, encouraging sip after sip. Elegant and graceful, it’s an exemplary Chardonnay sure to please many a discriminating palate.

Technical Information

Varietal Chardonnay
Vintage 2021
Volume 750mL
Appellation Napa Valley
Blend 100% Chardonnay
Oak Treatment Fermented and aged in 25% stainless steel, 25% new oak, and 50% neutral oak barrels for 7 months
Alcohol % 13.9%

Scores & Accolades

  • 93
    “White peach, flint, and primary character. White blossom. Medium body. Medium phenolic texture and energetic acidity. Light lemon bitterness. Steely. Serious and solid. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2023

Winemaking

To preserve fresh aromatics, the grapes are gently whole cluster pressed. A quarter of the wine is fermented in stainless steel. Another quarter is fermented and aged in new French oak barrels, with the remaining 50% in seasoned French oak. Barrel treatment preserves the essential purity of the fruit while adding subtle oak complexity. The wine, which did not undergo malolactic fermentation, was matured for seven months with weekly bâtonnage for increased mouthfeel.

Vintage

The 2021 season was joyous, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit. Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to fl ower, bloom, and set. Summer saw early and even ripening, with veraison appearing in early July. Low yields created small, intensely fl avored berries. One of the earliest starts, harvest began in late July. With optimal ripening and taste, we took our time bringing grapes in and crafting wines of fantastic character with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, tremendous balance, and structure that are equally lush and fruity.

Vineyard

Our Chardonnay is sourced from cooler southern Napa Valley appellations, where the San Pablo Bay fog cools the vineyards throughout the growing season, allowing for ideal preservation of freshness, acidity, and vibrancy. Most of the fruit comes from Carneros, which provides citrus, mineral, and crisp apple notes. A small percentage is from Oak Knoll, which contributes more tropical and stone fruit characteristics.