90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay
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At Duckhorn Vineyards, we have been making wine using grapes from the finest Napa Valley vineyards for over 35 years. Building on this rich history, our Napa Valley Chardonnay comes from the coolest regions. In the cellar, we applied classic techniques of French oak barrel fermentation with lees stirring, resulting in a Chardonnay that balances the complexity and richness of Napa Valley.
Wine Enthusiast
90
Wine Review Online
92
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Chardonnay; Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 45% New oak, 45% Second Vintage, 10% Stainless Steel
Winemaker Notes
This lush and elegant Chardonnay offers vivid aromas of white peach, lime, melon and vanilla bean, followed by undertones of praline, fresh pie dough and pistachio gelato. On the palate, flavors of Bosc pear, honeycrisp apple and Meyer lemon are underscored by beautifully balanced oak, which lends warm nuances and layers of complexity that carry through to the long, silky finish.
Production
The 2013 harvest was early, even and excellent with all of our Estate fruit in the winery by October 10th. A warm dry spring brought an early bud break and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. In the weeks after Labor Day, a moderate heat event followed by a period of perfect weather created a dream scenario for end-of-season ripening. Rain was not a factor, and for the second vintage in a row, the quality of the grapes was exceptional throughout Napa Valley.
Other Notes
Released: February 2015
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2013
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Napa Valley
Harvest Date
September 4 - 20, 2013
Sugar
24.0° Brix
Acid
0.60 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.61
Aging
10 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
14-28 days fermentation at 50-65° F
Bottling Date
July 2014
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
90
Wine Review Online
92