Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023 (750ml)

Stags' Leap Winery's 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay is a blend of partially barrel-fermented and stainless steel-aged wine, sourced from the cooler Carneros and Oak Knoll districts. A touch of Viognier rounds out the composition. The winemaker opted to skip malolactic fermentation, preserving the wine's natural acidity and freshness.

The nose opens with lemon pith, grapefruit, and crushed stone, with hints of macadamia nut and matchstick adding complexity. On the palate, the wine shows medium to full body with tightly wound acidity and a silky, generous texture. Flavors run toward red apples, quince, lime curd, pear, and melon, with energy and structure in balance. This is a wine with backbone that remains approachable and ready to drink now, though it will age gracefully if you prefer to hold.