Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Drink now or cellar for up to 7 years. Serve chilled. Duckhorn has been named one of the world’s top wineries by Wine & Spirits seven times, proving the Napa winery’s outstanding global reputation for crafting top quality wines. This achievement is thanks to years of experimentation with Bordeaux varietals in Napa and beyond ever since the first Duckhorn vintage in 1978. Although best known for their world-class Merlot, Duckhorn also produces a wide range of other top-rated bottlings like this sensational Napa Valley Chardonnay. Grapes for this wine are sourced from the estate’s coolest vineyards to preserve plenty of bright freshness and aromatics in the fruit. The grapes are carefully pressed and 90% of the must is fermented in French oak barrels with the remainder in stainless steel tanks. The young wine is then aged in these respective containers for 10 months before bottling. Pineapple, white peach and lime immediately burst out of the glass while the first sip reveals a silky smooth texture, well-rounded medium body and lingering stone fruit and tropical fruit flavours. The richness of the fruit and spicy and toasted character from the oak fermentation is carefully balanced by a bright streak of acidity and subtle minerality on the finish. This is a great example of premium Napa Valley Chardonnay that is ideal to enjoy now or to keep in the cellar for a few more years.

Price: £30.24 from 8wines UK