Cakebread 2018 Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley

This rare reserve Chard is coveted for good reason- It's creamy texture wrapped around luscious butterscotch, melon and pear flavors with a toasty French oak veneer. The grapes come from prime Carneros vineyards, planted with four select Chardonnay clones that flourish in the long ripening conditions of Carneros. Harvested at night by hand to insure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition, the grapes are whole cluster pressed and then barrel fermented in 35% new French oak. The wine is then aged on the lees in barrel for 15 months before bottling. Usually only available in restaurants, Wine Express has acquired a small quantity of this cult classic.

It shows aromas of creamy golden apple, peach, and baking spice that lead into intense,concentrated flavors of sweet apple, melon and pear. This is a balanced, fresh wine, with the kind of acidity that makes pairing easy.