2022 Cakebread Chardonnay – A Consistently Solid Chardonnay
Background
A long-standing solid wine for me since 1981. It was then, through a mutual friend, Jack invited my wife and I to have lunch with him at the winery and that was my introduction to this fine winery. Forty-three years later, I have consistently purchase Cakebread Chardonnay at restaurants as it is always a good quality wine.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is from the Napa Carneros region with the cooling winds coming off San Pablo Bay. The wine is aged in French oak barrels and left on the yeast lees for months to add to the complexity and texture. The bouquet is light and fresh with honeysuckle and stone fruit. An extremely crisp and rich wine with a clean finish.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Fast forward to last week’s Friday Night Wine & Dine group, I ordered the special which was a pan roasted Swordfish with fennel relish, rice pilaf and sauteed seasonal vegetables. Did not have a Chardonnay at the ready, so ordered this good standby wine from the wine list. Besides the meal being very well prepared, this wine brought back so many memories. Wine is always about a place, time, friends and food and this sure was enjoyable.
An excellent food and wine pairing!
Slainte,
Michael