The 2021 Lewis Cellars Reserve Napa Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine from the North Coast region of California, specifically Napa, produced by Lewis Cellars. This Chardonnay, with its 14.9% alcohol content and cork closure, showcases the notable characteristics of its varietal and region.
The wine has garnered high praise from several respected reviewers, making it a standout in its category. Wine Enthusiast awarded it a score of 94, calling it "incredibly rich and luxuriously oaky." Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast further elaborates, describing the wine as "basking in delicious excess, bathed in melted butter, vanilla bean, poached pears, and caramel that swell in the aroma and echo through a rich, butterscotch finish."
James Suckling gave this vintage a score of 93, highlighting its "spiced and toasty" profile. He noted the presence of "baked apples, grilled pineapple, bread crust, and some nuttiness," and praised its "broad, creamy texture and a ripe tropical core" with "ground spices, chamomile, and nut shell undertones." Suckling suggests that this wine can be enjoyed now or held for future enjoyment.
The Wine Independent also rated the wine 93, with a focus on its "fragrant notes of honeysuckle and lime blossoms" and a core of "pear tart, quince paste, and apple crumble." The review emphasizes the wine's "densely laden" palate with "spicy apple and cedary flavors, framed by seamless acidity," concluding that it finishes "long and satiny textured."
Wine Spectator provided a score of 92, describing the wine as "on the toasty, smoky side," featuring "nutmeg, cardamom, honeysuckle, and litsea oil notes." The review also mentions "lemon curd, grilled peach, fig, and toasted marshmallow details on the plush, creamy finish."
In summary, the 2021 Lewis Cellars Reserve Napa Chardonnay is a robust and richly textured wine, praised for its oak influence and complex flavor profile. Its high scores from multiple reviewers underscore its quality and appeal to those who appreciate a well-crafted, full-bodied Chardonnay.