Plumpjack is greatness...plain and simple. Begun in 1973 by proprietors James and Anne McWilliams, the vineyard and winery rapidly gained attention for producing dynamic, long-lived wines, with particular emphasis on the estate and reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. Their Oakville vineyard has a wide diversity of soils reflective of its special position at the base of the Vaca Range, making it a unique marriage of a hillside vineyard and a classic valley floor site.
But we would not do the winery justice if we did not mention their incredible Chardonnay. Where many California Chardonnays are aged in 100% new barrels and go through secondary fermentation, Plumpjack ferments 65% of their Chardonnay in stainless steel, and this portion of the wine does not go through the secondary fermentation. What you get is a wine so layered and complex that it can take some time to unpack.
The cool vintage of 2023 preserved the brighter, fresher, more delicate aromatics of the Chardonnay grape and retained a vibrant, mouth-watering acidity, allowing us to craft a Chardonnay of great complexity, purity, and precision. The nose opens with notes of lemon, lime, Granny Smith apple, and wet stone. This is layered with rich yet delicate aromas of cantaloupe, honeydew, nectarine, and honeysuckle aromas. The oak in the wine just slightly shows through with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, adding depth to the nose. The palate is rich and round with bright and lively acidity, which, together, leave the impression of a tangy, creamy lemon custard. The acidity pulls the wine to the back of the palate, giving it great length, energy, and life.
But we would not do the winery justice if we did not mention their incredible Chardonnay. Where many California Chardonnays are aged in 100% new barrels and go through secondary fermentation, Plumpjack ferments 65% of their Chardonnay in stainless steel, and this portion of the wine does not go through the secondary fermentation. What you get is a wine so layered and complex that it can take some time to unpack.
The cool vintage of 2023 preserved the brighter, fresher, more delicate aromatics of the Chardonnay grape and retained a vibrant, mouth-watering acidity, allowing us to craft a Chardonnay of great complexity, purity, and precision. The nose opens with notes of lemon, lime, Granny Smith apple, and wet stone. This is layered with rich yet delicate aromas of cantaloupe, honeydew, nectarine, and honeysuckle aromas. The oak in the wine just slightly shows through with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, adding depth to the nose. The palate is rich and round with bright and lively acidity, which, together, leave the impression of a tangy, creamy lemon custard. The acidity pulls the wine to the back of the palate, giving it great length, energy, and life.
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