# Carneros Chardonnay (2022)

- **Producer:** Rombauer Vineyards
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** ripe fruit, cooked fruit, butter, vanilla, cloves

## About this wine

The Rombauer Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay is a distinguished white wine produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Carneros region of California. Established by Koerner Rombauer in 1980, the winery has been producing Chardonnay since 1982 and sourcing from Carneros since 1990. The Carneros appellation, influenced by the San Pablo Bay, provides an ideal climate for cultivating Chardonnay. The 2022 vintage experienced a compressed harvest due to heat, yielding concentrated wines, while the 2023 vintage was a 'banner year' with cool, late-season conditions promoting elegance and bright acidity. The wine is recognized for its distinctive, rich, and fruit-forward style, with a creamy texture and a signature buttery finish, balanced by vibrant acidity.

## Interesting facts

- Rombauer Chardonnay has appeared on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list multiple times.
- The winery's original facility in 1982 was a shared space for emerging wineries.
- The Carneros region's unique microclimate is influenced by San Pablo Bay.
- Andrew Holloway became head winemaker after starting as an intern in 2010.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and rich texture complement creamy and buttery dishes. Its bright acidity cuts through the richness of proteins and sauces, cleansing the palate. Flavors of oak and ripe fruit in the wine can echo or contrast with ingredients like herbs, spices, and fruit in the food.

## Wine making process

Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay is crafted using gentle whole-cluster pressing of cool grapes, followed by cold settling. The juice is then transferred to barrels for primary and full malolactic fermentation. A key technique is the stirring of the lees every 7-10 days, which builds richness and a creamy texture. The wine is subsequently aged for nine months in a mix of American and French oak, with one-third being new. Grapes are harvested at night to maintain acidity. The 2023 vintage benefited from sustainable farming and technologies like NDVI, contributing to an optimal ripening period.