2021 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2021 vintage of Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is crafted from estate-grown and select Napa Valley vineyards, including fruit from high-elevation sites with volcanic and loamy soils that contribute both power and complexity. Chardonnay clusters are hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, then fermented with native yeasts in 100% new French oak barrels. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is aged on its lees with regular bâtonnage for added depth and richness. Golden-hued and opulent, it offers layers of Meyer lemon, ripe stone fruit, crème brûlée, and toasted almond, balanced by a vein of acidity that keeps it vibrant. Ideal pairings include lobster with drawn butter, roast chicken, or creamy mushroom pasta.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Founded in 1986 by Jayson Pahlmeyer, the estate quickly became synonymous with luxury Napa Valley wines that marry Old World tradition with California intensity. Pahlmeyer gained early acclaim for its Bordeaux-style reds, but its Chardonnay—modeled after the great whites of Burgundy—soon followed suit, earning cult status for its power, polish, and cellar-worthy structure. Now led by second-generation winemaker Cleo Pahlmeyer and crafted by the winemaking team under Kale Anderson, the estate continues its legacy of meticulous farming and precise, expressive winemaking. Sustainably farmed and rooted in some of Napa’s most expressive sites, Pahlmeyer wines reflect a philosophy of bold elegance and uncompromising quality.