The 2021 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve is a distinguished white wine hailing from the renowned Napa region of California's North Coast. This Chardonnay, with an alcohol content of 14.1%, is produced by the respected Cakebread Cellars and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
The wine has garnered positive attention from notable reviewers. According to The Wine Independent, which awarded it an impressive score of 94, the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay "prances out with provocative notes of orange blossom, beeswax, and peach preserves," leading to a core of "spiced apples and juicy pears plus a waft of almond croissant." The review highlights its "savory and refreshing" medium-bodied palate, characterized by a "satiny texture and long, vibrant finish."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through the tasting notes of Joe Czerwinski, gave the wine a solid score of 91. The review details that the wine is "all barrel-fermented and then aged 15 months in a mix of puncheons and barrels" and comes entirely from estate vineyards in Carneros. Czerwinski describes the 2021 Chardonnay Reserve as having "scents of vanilla, peppery spice, orange and pineapple," with a "plump, rounded and easy to enjoy" palate. The finish is noted for its "attractive bit of citrus," which keeps the wine "lively and clean."
James Suckling also reviewed this wine favorably, awarding it a score of 92. He describes it as "supple, vivid and citrusy," with "aromas of fresh lemons, blanched almonds and white peaches on the nose." The medium-bodied wine has "moderate acidity" and features a "positive bitterness on the mid-palate" with characteristics of "blanched almond and green apple." Suckling concludes that the wine is "succulent and refreshing," recommending it for immediate consumption.
Overall, the 2021 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve is recognized for its vibrant, citrusy profile and balanced, refreshing finish, making it a noteworthy choice for Chardonnay enthusiasts.