ZD Wines Chardonnay
Click here to see older vintages
Learn about ZD Wines Chardonnay Winemaking,
or enjoy one of our Chardonnay Wine Pairing Recipes.
$36
2011 Chardonnay, CA - Buy Now
Two thousand and eleven turned out to be an exceptional vintage for Chardonnay. The long, very cool growing season allowed for very slow ripening and optimal flavor development. All of the fruit for this 100% Chardonnay was hand harvested at night, ensuring it arrived nice and cool to the winery. A long, cool fermentation (48°F) in 100% American Oak barrels and no malo-lactic highlight ZD’s signature style of producing rich, yet balanced fruit driven Chardonnay’s that pair well with a wide range of dishes and also age beautifully. Bright, forward aromas of pineapple, apricot, and pear are complemented by subtle hints of orange blossom, honey, caramel and sweet vanilla. The palate is full bodied and lush with a core of bright tropical fruits that integrates wonderfully with the natural acidity and subtle oak notes. Drinking beautifully right now, this wine should continue to develop complexity for some time.
-Chris Pisani, Winemaker
- Gold Medal - Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2013
- Gold Medal/Best of Class - San Diego International Wine Competition 2013
$60
2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Carneros - Buy Now
The 2011 growing season was marked by an unusually long, cool summer without any of the heat spikes that we typically experienced in previous vintages. The cool foggy mornings provided ideal ripening conditions for ZD’s organically farmed Carneros Estate Chardonnay vineyard. The Chardonnay grapes were able to develop slowly and the cooler weather allowed for longer hang time resulting in incredible depth of flavor. Extended cold barrel fermentation in our cellar at the winery preserved vibrant aromas and provided the essential “lees contact” for a richness and complexity on the palate. The Chardonnay was aged in American oak barrels for 15 months adding another element of depth. Aromas of pear, lime and orange blossom mingle with subtle floral notes and the perfect amount of sweet toasty oak and vanilla. On the palate, intensely forward fruit and bright natural acidity complement each other and lead to a long rich finish.
-Chris Pisani, Winemaker
- Gold Medal - Pacific Rim Wine Competition 2012
- Gold Medal - Taster's Guild Wine Judging 2012
