2023 ARCADIA Chardonnay

ABOUT ARCADIA

For the Roman poet Virgil, ARCADIA was celebrated as a place of pastoral simplicity, where inhabitants lived in close harmony with nature. Named ARCADIA VINEYARD for its bucolic setting, this 128-acre parcel is located in the Coombsville AVA in southern Napa Valley, at the foot of Mt. George. This vineyard produces Chardonnay in a style similar to classic Burgundian Chablis. From the first release with the 1998 vintage, this single-vineyard wine has become recognized for its alluring perfume, delicate fruit, vibrant minerality, and understated oak.  

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

Located on a strand of gently rolling hills, ARCADIA VINEYARD has gravelly silt loam soils formed partly from an inland lake over 125,000 years ago. The vineyard has a cool climate and clonal diversity. This wine is 100% Chardonnay. 36% of the grapes were cold soaked on the skins in the press for three hours before pressing. 87.5% of the wine was fermented in barrel while 12.5% was fermented in stainless steel. 66% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged sur lie for 9 months, with 66% in French oak and 34% in older French oak.  

VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage could be the vintage of the decade. It is among the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in the past ten-plus years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and have strong potential to age for decades to come.    

Winter brought ample rainfall that filled reservoirs and enriched soils with lasting saturation. The two-year average rainfall in 2021 & 2022 was 17.5 inches. In 2023, that figure more than doubled to 39.6 inches at our estate.  Cool conditions led to a later than average bud break in mid-April, with continued cold weather throughout bloom. Summer was a classic for Napa Valley, with the cool sea breeze all season long that resulted in a slow and even ripening period.  No significant heat waves occurred in late August or early September like the prior two vintages. Grape clusters developed beautifully, and we saw higher than average yields across all our estate vineyards. White grapes were harvested later than typical and had bright, fresh, complex aromatics and vibrant acidity. September progressed without extreme weather, so Cabernet continued a slow, steady, and even ripening period, producing remarkable wines. Cabernets are dark in color with varietally expressive aromatics, full of complexity and character. These wines have vibrant acidity, rich, flavorful structures, and lengthy tannins.   

This vintage rewarded patience. We remained diligent with farming adjustments to navigate cooler temperatures and took full advantage of the long growing season to reveal the best expression of place.  

TASTING NOTES

This ARCADIA VINEYARD Chardonnay offers complex aromas of fresh peaches, lemongrass, honeysuckle, Asian pears, fresh-baked bread, and a touch of crème brulée. It has a bright and vibrant texture with savory and mineral notes and flavors of orange, tangerine, and peach cobbler, with a touch of oak integrated into a lengthy, lush finish.