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Stags' Leap
2022 Stags' Leap Barrel Select Carneros Chardonnay
$60.00
Bottle
Price
$60.00
$720.00
Case
(12)
Price
$720.00
Member Pricing
Tasting Notes
The 2022 Barrel Select Chardonnay presents itself with a radiant, golden hue, catching light with brightness. Fresh scents of crisp green-fruited notes abound while subtle hints of tart components complement the bouquet with Golden Delicious apples and a zesty essence of lemons. The fragrant golden apple scents transition as the palate unfolds into a luscious yellow peach and apricot flavor, creating a delightful fruit-forward note. With dried orange zest, adding a tangy twist, the line of acidity throughout leads to a crisp and refreshing quality, supported by a floral lilac note that adds a touch of elegance. The presence of barrel ferment imparts brioche toast undertones evoking a subtle hint of nutty richness.Technical Information
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | Carneros |
| Blend | 100% Chardonnay |
| Oak Treatment | 43% New French Oak for 5 months |
| Alcohol % | 14.7% |
Winemaking
The Barrel Select Chardonnay is a small bottling of the most expressive barrel lots in a given vintage. 43% of the wine was fermented and aged in new French oak to preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit while adding subtle notes of oak complexity. As usual, this Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentation to further maintain the fruit’s natural acidity and aromatic freshness. The wine was bottled after just 7 months of maturation with a weekly bâtonnage, releasing subtle aromatics while increasing the complexity and mouthfeel.Vintage
The first half of the 2022 harvest started calm and early, with healthy vineyards offering fruit with bright acidity, fruit-forward flavors, and strong yields for white varietals and thin-skinned reds, like Pinot Noir. Then, California experienced a historic heat wave in early September that ramped up the pace of ripening, compelling a fast and furious harvest as winemakers worked to pick fruit at its best quality. Fortunately, strong vines and proactive irrigation helped many vineyards survive the heat. The second half was much more predictable with cooler temperatures through October, so that later-ripening red varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, could develop their full flavor and tannin profile.Vineyard
This Chardonnay is crafted with grapes grown in the Carneros appellation in southern Napa Valley, located on the north side of the San Pablo Bay. Here, maritime fogs roll across, cooling vineyards throughout the growing season, allowing for ideal preservation of acidity. Known for producing great wines, this undulating, gravelly bayside terrain consistently produces Chardonnay with crisp fruit flavors and bright acidity.