Appearance: Brilliant pale gold with silver-green highlights
Nose: Vibrant aromas of fresh pear, golden apple, and white peach with elegant notes of citrus blossom, lemon zest, and subtle vanilla bean. Gentle hints of toasted almond and wet stone minerality add complexity.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a graceful balance of fruit and acidity. Crisp Asian pear, ripe citrus, and stone fruit flavors mingle with delicate oak-inspired notes of vanilla cream and light toast. The texture is silky yet fresh, showing restraint and finesse rather than overwhelming richness.
Finish: Clean, focused, and persistent with refreshing acidity and a subtle mineral character that carries the fruit and gentle oak notes through a long, elegant conclusion
Producer: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Appellation: Napa Valley, California (with fruit primarily from southern Napa Valley vineyard sites) Vintage: 2022 Varietal: 100% Chardonnay Vineyard Sources: Select vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, focusing on cooler locations Soil: Varied, including volcanic, alluvial, and loamy soils Climate: Warm days with cooling influence from San Pablo Bay Harvest: Hand-harvested in the cool early morning hours Fermentation: Primarily barrel fermented with select lots in stainless steel Malolactic Fermentation: Partial (approximately 30-40%) to maintain freshness Aging: 7-8 months in French oak barrels (about 25-30% new) Alcohol: 13.8% ABV Production: Approximately 10,000-12,000 cases Suggested drinking window: 2023-2028
"Karia" (KAR-ee-ah) is derived from the Greek word meaning graceful, a fitting description for this elegant Chardonnay. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars sources the fruit for Karia from select vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, with a focus on the cooler southern regions that benefit from the maritime influence of San Pablo Bay. This cooler climate helps preserve acidity and allows for longer hang time, developing complex flavors while maintaining balance.
The 2022 vintage in Napa Valley was characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the growing season after some early season frost concerns. Summer provided steady, even ripening conditions without extreme heat spikes. The result was Chardonnay with excellent natural acidity, pure fruit expression, and balanced ripeness.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, famous for their Cabernet Sauvignon that won the 1976 "Judgment of Paris" tasting, brings the same commitment to excellence to their Chardonnay program, focusing on elegant, balanced wines that showcase terroir rather than excessive oak or manipulation.
Best served chilled but not too cold, approximately 50-55°F (10-13°C), to allow the full expression of aromas and flavors. If stored in a refrigerator, remove 15-20 minutes before serving.
