Chardonnay, "Heritage", Black Stallion, CA, 2023

Professional Ratings

• 91 James Suckling
  Ripe apples, white peaches and hints of tropical fruit, fresh nuts and cream. Full and round-textured with a rich core of fruit and vivid, supportive acidity. Lingering and warm. Drink or hold.

Black Stallion Estate Winery Chardonnay from Los Carneros opens with aromas of citrus, golden delicious apple, stone fruit and hints of butterscotch. The flavors are tantalizing notes of bright, juicy pear and toasted bread. This Chardonnay is medium bodied with ripe fruit flavors, balanced with a bright acidity and gives way to a long, lingering and silky finish. Sip this wine on its own or pair alongside goat cheese, salads and dishes such as crab, lobster, grilled shrimp or roast chicken.

VITICULTURE

Los Carneros is one of Napa Valley’s coolest growing regions that has marine influences of both morning fog and afternoon wind originating from the San Pablo Bay. These climatic conditions work to synergistically moderate temperature. Our Chardonnay vineyard sites in Los Carneros enjoy a long cool, growing season that allow for exceptional varietal expression to develop along with ripe fruit characteristics, fantastic balance and finesse.

WINEMAKING

The fruit for this blend was handpicked during the night, at optimal ripeness. Chardonnay clusters were gently
pressed, releasing juice of exceptional balance. The juice was settled then racked to barrels for fermentation.
Fermentation occurred in our cool barrel cellar for about a month. We then added malo-lactic bacteria to
soften the wine’s acidity. We stirred the barrels during aging to suspend the yeast (batonage). This action
developed a rich and complex palate. The wine aged sur lees for 8 months.