Country :
Verify you are of legal drinking age.
2023 Stags' Leap Barrel Select Chardonnay
$60.00
Bottle
Price
$60.00
$720.00
Case
(12)
Price
$720.00
Member Pricing
Tasting Notes
Light straw gold in color, the 2023 Barrel Select Chardonnay evokes springtime aromas of an orchard in blossom, with fresh, white flower scents and stone fruit characters. Bright citrus notes of lemon curd and key lime shine on the palate with a balanced, refreshing streak of acidity that highlights the zesty fruit and gives the wine concentration and depth. Barrel-aging and the influence of French oak further solidify the wine’s structure and elevate the fruit. This bright, polished wine will pair well with poultry, creamy risotto, and the nutty richness of Waldorf salad.Technical Information
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | Carneros |
| Oak Treatment | 100% French oak barrels (48% new) for 5 months |
| Alcohol % | 14.4% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
Scores & Accolades
-
94“Generous aromas of preserved lemons, spices, poached pears, pastry and beeswax. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy texture and balanced acidity, giving flavors of apple tart, grapefruit and lanolin. Powerful and generous, with tightly wound acidity. Drink or hold.” – JamesSuckling.com, January 2025
Winemaking
The Barrel Select Chardonnay is a small bottling of the most expressive barrel lots in a given vintage. The wine was fermented and aged in French oak (48% new) to preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit while adding subtle notes of oak complexity. To further maintain the fruit’s natural acidity and aromatic freshness, this Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine was bottled after just 5 months of maturation with bi-weekly bâtonnage, which released subtle aromatics while increasing the complexity and mouthfeel.Vintage
2023 delivered one of the most prolonged and compact harvests in recent Napa Valley history. The long growing season delayed the start of harvest until the fifth of September—two and a half weeks later than the previous year. This posed a logistical challenge in the cellar as tanks quickly filled. Additionally, there was concern about completing the harvest before the rainy season. Our winemaking team rose to the occasion and made the 2023 harvest season a bountiful yield of exceptional quality fruit. The grapes displayed intense color and complex flavors, maintaining a vibrant acidity that adds a distinctive character to what will surely be remembered as an excellent wine collector’s vintage.Vineyard
Our Chardonnay is sourced from cooler southern Napa Valley appellations, where the San Pablo Bay fog cools the vineyards throughout the growing season, allowing for ideal preservation of freshness, acidity, and vibrancy. Most of the fruit comes from Carneros, which provides citrus, mineral, and crisp apple notes. A small percentage is from Oak Knoll, which contributes more tropical and stone fruit characteristics.