Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Karia" Chardonnay 2022
(Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California) - [JS 92]

About the WIne:

The name KARIA (KAR-ee-ah) is derived from the Greek word meaning graceful, and the 2021 KARIA Chardonnay lives up to its moniker. It shows how grapes from select cool-climate vineyards in southern Napa Valley can be vinified and blended into a seamless integration of fresh-fruit aromas and flavors, crisp acidity and subtle oak spice. Light and graceful: that’s KARIA.

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

KARIA comes from a tapestry of vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley. For the 2021 offering, vineyards in the Atlas Peak District (36%), Carneros (28%), Coombsville (17%) and Oak Knoll (10%) contributed fruit for this wine. The vineyards in Carneros (Beckstoffer Las Amigas and Carneros Creek), which are cooled in the mornings and evenings by breezes sweeping north from San Pablo Bay, contribute citrus and mineral notes to the wine. ARCADIA VINEYARD brings perfume and delicate fruit characters. The Oak Knoll vineyards (our estate vineyard DANIKA RANCH and Bravo Zulu) provide bright, juicy apple and pear personality to the blend. Atlas Peak fruit adds a lemon/lime citrus character and a richer mouthfeel. The grapes for this wine were picked
early in the morning to keep them cool and then they were whole cluster pressed to preserve freshness. 48% of the wine was fermented with native yeasts. Oak and malolactic fermentation were used in moderation to accent, rather than overwhelm, the fruit.

TASTING NOTES

This is a graceful Chardonnay with inviting aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, white peach, and brioche with a mineral-floral note. The wine has a bright and flavorful mouthfeel with a savory coating, texture, and lingering citrus flavors.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Try pairing this Chardonnay with grilled chicken with lemon aioli, grilled salmon with a cucumber, tomato and fresh dill salsa or roast chicken breast stuffed with spina ch and feta cheese.

Technical Data:

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Graceful yet full-bodied, this lightly oaked wine gains more complexity with each sip. Aromas of pear syrup, almonds and light butter lead to nicely concentrated pears, golden apples and subtle oak spices. Drink or hold." (March 2024)