Coming from the best plots within the 2,500-acre family-owned holdings, the grape were hand harvested (as opposed to machine harvesting for their less expensive wines) and underwent optical sorting prior to vinification. The wine displays a pale gold color. Aromas kick off with sun-warmed apple blossom and pear notes, as well as lactic scents. The palate is richly textured, having spent 10 months aging in a combination of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels. Although the wine has around 6 grams per liter of residual sugar, it feels dry on the palate. The wine finishes with a creamy texture and a touch of alcoholic heat, which seems to be very well controlled, given the location of origin of these grapes.
Oak Ridge Winery, Lodi (California) Chardonnay 2020
By Andrew Holod