Duckhorn Napa Chardonnay

Duckhorn's Napa Chardonnay is a Napa Valley white from California, bottled at 14.1% alcohol by volume. That figure puts it at the fuller end of the table-wine range, and the style is usually broad and textured rather than lean. The producer's own notes point to French oak, so expect the oak to show as supporting texture, with some toast and spice, rather than overt wood. Napa Chardonnays of this kind typically run to ripe orchard and stone fruit such as apple, pear and peach, often with citrus and a creamy, rounded mid-palate. A firm line of acidity usually keeps the finish from feeling heavy. The weight and richness make it a good match for dishes with fat or butter in them. Roast chicken, seared scallops, lobster with drawn butter, and cream-based pasta or risotto all suit that profile. Soft cheeses such as brie or Gruyère, and mushroom dishes, also work. Very spicy or heavily acidic foods tend to fight with a wine this full. Serve it chilled but not cold, around 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F). Straight from a refrigerator the oak and fruit stay muted, and a short rest on the counter opens up the aromatics. Decanting is not necessary for a white like this. A large-bowled white wine glass or a light Burgundy-style glass gives the aromas room and lets the texture show. This is a bottle to drink on release or within the next few years. Barrel-influenced Napa Chardonnay is generally made for approachable, fruit-forward drinking rather than long cellaring, and it is best enjoyed while the fruit is still vivid.