The 2022 growing season turned out to be distinct for Chardonnay. After a typical start to the season through budbreak and bloom, Mother Nature decided to throw us a curveball with an unprecedented heat event in early September, with temperatures reaching 110°F for 5 consecutive days. Past experience with heat spikes told us that ripening via dehydration and loss of acidity would soon follow; however, grapevines being the amazingly resilient plants that they are, surprised us and seemed to protect themselves from the intense heat. Brix did initially spike but eventually leveled off and acidities held steady, leading to wines with great intensity and concentration.

This ZD Carneros Reserve Chardonnay is a blend from several organically certified vineyards with ZD’s own Carneros Estate Wood clone making a significant contribution. Hand harvested under the cool cover of night at optimal maturity, the wine was cold fermented in 100% American Oak barrels with no malo-lactic fermentation, giving this wine a nice balance of intense, ripe fruit and bright, natural acidity. 15 months of extended aging in barrel helped round out the texture and added complexity to this distinctive Chardonnay.

Aromas of Asian pear and with hints of orange blossom, lemon curd, and sweet, toasty vanilla bean lead to a palate that explodes with forward bright fruit, balanced acidity, and subtle oak notes. This wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop in the bottle.