The world of Chardonnay is vast – the grape grows seemingly anywhere, with the kind of mixed results you might expect. One proven area for substantial, mouth-watering Chardonnay is the cool Carneros region of Napa/Sonoma counties. Today’s bottling is the Estate Reserve from Artesa Winery, located high up in Napa, in proximity to Mt. Veeder. These vines at 20 years of age have produced a stunner in 2013. With the “bigger-boned” Chardonnays of Burgundy out of reach for most consumers, this richly endowed wine delivers plenty at a far more reasonable expenditure.
2013 Chardonnay, Artesa Estate Reserve, Napa Valley–Carneros $40 srp
Deep, yellow-gold color. A harmonious parade of pineapple, guava, orange peel, beeswax and brisk, uplifting sensations. Flavors are creamy and sustained with ripe apple, pear and buttery underpinnings that focus, not obliterate, the ravishing fruit. A sheer mouthful of balanced, refreshing Chardonnay. Match with grilled Grouper, poultry or pork. Drink now-2019.
92/100 points
