Heitz 2017 Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Heitz Chardonnay highlights the rich, ripe fruit character from their warmer Rutherford vineyard combined with the crisp, light acid in the grapes from their cooler Oak Knoll vineyard. This marriage is what makes their Chardonnay unique. The new French oak gives the wine vanilla and baking spice flavor without overpowering the varietal flavor. The wine ages sur lie, 3 years in total in a mix of stainless steel tanks and French oak.

Decanter Magazine scored this 92 points saying "This is one of the last bastions of Napa Chardonnay that retains the ethos of winemaking from the 1970s and '80s. A blend of mainly Rutherford and Oak Knoll fruit, it undergoes no malolactic fermentation and is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Aromas of lemon meringue, key limes and orchard fruit blossoms lead to an angular, focused and pure palate. An authentic example of a past time."