KENDALL-JACKSON GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"A unique expression of place, Grand Reserve is a winemaker’s blend of single appellation wines sourced from our mountain, ridge, hillside and benchland grapes grown along California’s cool coastline. Our winemakers have an unmatched palette of flavors, toast levels and terroir nuances from which they then masterfully blend these exemplary rich, deep and complex wines which truly express each region.

Lush tropical fruit intertwines with nice minerality from the calciferous soils in the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valleys. There is a touch of floral notes from the small amounts of Dijon and Rued clones, and a hint of vanilla and spice to round out the rich, long finish.

Aged 6 months in 93% French oak, 27% new, with the balance in American oak. This Chardonnay is sur lie aged with lees stirred twice monthly to integrate the fruit and oak and lend a creamy mouthfeel to balance the wine’s bright minerality."

Reviews for previous vintages below…

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Opulent and gracefully rich, the wine shows grilled stone fruit, vanillin oak, butterscotch and sweet pastry aromas on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate offering richly textured mouthfeel backed by seamlessly infused acidity. Sophisticated and multi-dimensional, offering glorious drinking. At its best: now to 2032."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, August 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Polished golden hues lead to a bouquet of brazil-nut butter barrel spices, roasted peaches and baked apple, fresh grapefruit and vanilla cream custard. Full-bodied on the palate with core fruit and wood flavours that mirror the bouquet, some fine wood tannins and medium acid line. A classically styled wine from the region destined to please Chardonnay fans and more so of the style presented – weighty, creamy, nutty, textured and delicious. Best drinking from 2022 through 2028."