Wine Review: Quilt 2023 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($35)

by Andrew Chalk

If you are looking for a mid-priced Chardonnay then Quilt's Napa Valley bottling may suit your needs. It is unapologetically in the New World style of abundant new French oak and ripe tropical fruit flavors. I enjoyed it watching a game on the Internet but it could alternatively be paired with food such as Turkey, pasta with cream sauce, oily fish like halibut, or charcuterie. As with all wines in these difficult times for the industry, look for sales at retail.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

"The Quilt Chardonnay winemaking process begins when we call a pick. We test sugar levels, acidity and pH, but more importantly, we want phenolic/physiological maturity. With hard, brown seeds, copper canes, and yellowing of the canopy and a slight tan to the golden clusters. Once in the cellar, we whole cluster light press. We barrel-ferment the wine in French oak (70% new) for 15 months. Fermentation can last 45 or more days with lees stirring during the extended fermentation. Then 100% malolactic fermentation while still on lees for creaminess and complexity."