2018 Cakebread Chardonnay Napa Valley
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A solid effort offering lots of citrus, pear, and melon-like aromas and flavors, the 2018 Chardonnay is nicely textured and medium-bodied, with a solid spine of acidity and a clean finish. It should drink nicely for 2-3 years.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
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The 2018 Chardonnay comes 95% from Carneros and 5% from Napa Valley. Barrel fermented in 33% new oak, it spent eight months on the lees, and 18% went through malolactic. It was bottled June 1, 2019. Slowly, it reveals very pretty poached pears, apple pie and apricot scents with touches of beeswax, toasted almond and lanolin. Medium-bodied, the palate has great poise and finesse, delivering a racy backbone and loads of tight-knit stone fruit flavors, finishing long and toasty.