Heitz Chardonnay 2016

Drink now through to 2024. Serve chilled.

Heitz Cellar was founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz who would quickly emerge as key players in the first pioneering wave of ambitious young winemakers working in Napa Valley. Today their name is synonymous with top quality Cabernet Sauvignon, but they have also been making fine Chardonnay ever since the early years of the winery.

Unlike many Chardonnays made in California, the Heitz family’s expression features very restrained oak influence. To allow the Chardonnay character to shine through, the wine is then aged in predominantly used oak barrels for nine months. This helps to add a delicate touch of brioche and a creamy texture from the oak ageing while still allowing the white peach, lemon zest and ripe apple flavours and aromas from the Chardonnay grape to take centre stage.

The Chardonnay grapes used in this wine are sourced from carefully selected plots across Napa which gives multiple layers of complexity and well-balanced flavours. Grapes from the Heitz’s warmer Rutherford vineyard contribute a rich tropical fruit character, while their Oak Knoll vineyard enjoys slightly cooler climatic conditions and thus produces fruit with greater freshness. In the glass these two different personalities combine harmoniously to produce a seductive Napa Chardonnay which is made in an elegant Old World style.