Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022 USA

This wine can be enjoyed now, or you can cellar it for up to 7 years to further develop its complexity. Serve it chilled to highlight its vibrant fruit character.

Duckhorn has been recognized as one of the world’s top wineries by Wine & Spirits magazine seven times, a testament to its outstanding global reputation for crafting exceptional wines. This achievement is the result of years of experience and experimentation with Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley and beyond, beginning with the first Duckhorn vintage in 1978. Although best known for their world-class Merlot, Duckhorn also produces a wide range of other highly acclaimed wines, including this sensational Napa Valley Chardonnay.

The grapes for this wine are sourced from the estate’s coolest vineyard sites, which helps to preserve the vibrant freshness and aromatic intensity of the fruit. After careful pressing, 90% of the juice is fermented in French oak barrels, while the remaining 10% is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine then undergoes 10 months of aging in these respective vessels before bottling.

Aromas of pineapple, white peach, and lime immediately burst from the glass. The first sip reveals a silky smooth texture, a well-rounded medium body, and lingering flavors of stone fruit and tropical fruit. The richness of the fruit and the spicy, toasted notes imparted by the oak fermentation are beautifully balanced by a bright acidity and a subtle minerality on the finish. This is a superb example of premium Napa Valley Chardonnay that is equally enjoyable now or after a few more years of cellaring.