The 2008 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Chardonnay is a light straw yellow with citrus and melon on the nose. Lots of crisp citrus and mineral notes in the flavor, maybe a little melon in there too. Long clean citrussy finish. This wine has seen some oak but you would never know it from the flavors. I don’t believe it has gone through malolactic fermentation either.
If you want a Chardonnay that is crisp and steely rather than round and buttery, this is the one to try.
It was initially chilled but then warmed up as it sat out. I like to do it that way so I can see how it changes as it gets warmer. When it was at room temperature more of the oak showed up as a little spice but it never got buttery at all.
Heitz is a pretty historic Napa winery known primarily for their Cabernet Sauvignon, especially the Martha’s Vineyard at $100+ per bottle. The Chardonnay is less than $20 retail.
I prefer buttery but this sounds enticing. I’ve never had Heitz wines before and I don’t recall seeing this wine in any of the wine merchants I visit. Guess I’ll have to look a bit closer to the labels. Did you serve this chilled or at room temperature? I prefer a Chardonnay at room temperature but at one winery they slightly chilled the Chardonnay and I enjoyed it quite well. So I have to rethink the room temperature Chardonnay thing.