2019 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay Watson Ranch Napa
2019 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay Watson Ranch Napa; Napa Valley, California
Winemaker Notes; Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay is from one of the southernmost vineyards in Napa Valley AVA. The vines were planted in 1993 and dry farmed in clay over limestone with a view of San Pablo Bay. The grapes were whole cluster pressed, fermented in stainless steel by native yeasts, and the wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels.
Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white-wine grape and also one of the most widely planted. Although the most highly regarded expressions of the variety are those from Burgundy and California, many high-quality examples are made in Italy, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America.
Napa Valley, an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, California, is the most famous and prestigious wine region anywhere in the New World. Although a number of grape varieties are grown in the valley’s vineyards, the area is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. The classic “Napa Cab”, the archetypal Napa Valley wine, is a rich, oak-aged red with aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, liquorice, vanilla and smoky, bittersweet chocolate.Situated immediately north of San Pablo Bay, the valley runs roughly SE – NW for approximately 35 miles (60km) between the Vacas and Mayacamas mountain ranges.
Arnot-Roberts is a small Californian wine producer, specializing in small-lot single-vineyard wines. The main focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though wines are made from several other less-common grape varieties like Trousseau and Ribolla.