2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay
Photo from Duckhorn Vineyards
The Winery
Usually, I don’t write about large wineries or wine corporations but pulled this bottle out of the cellar and was very impressed by it. Duckhorn has long been a solid and personal favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay wines.
Duckhorn, founded in 1976 by Margaret and Dan Duckhorn, has been an iconic fixture in Napa Valley for decades. Today it includes Decoy and Sonoma-Cutrer and another 9 winery labels/brands. Beverly Hills-based Butterfly Equity acquired the portfolio in an all-cash deal valued at $1.95 billion in 2024. Their wines are have always been noteworthy and have held a high standard for Napa Valley. Most notable is their Three Palms series which is personally one of my favorites.
The Duckhorn Portfolio, until recently was one of the few publicly traded wineries in California according to their news release. The acquisition will make Duckhorn a privately held company.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This 2018 Duckhorn Chardonnay from Napa Valley is 100% Chardonnay aged 10 months in 90% oak barrels with 40% being new and 10% in stainless steel. A somewhat unusual mixture but the end result was very good. Apparently, those in the know follow Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay wine!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine on the eyes is a soft golden color that is crisp and radiant. Swirling in the glass a heavier than normal viscosity. On the nose, stone fruit and lime swell up in the senses begging to be sipped. Once on the palate, the stone fruit of peach and minerality are the dominant flavors with a modicum of lime. There is a richness and mouth filling lushness to this Chardonnay.
The wine is 14.1% alcohol and underwent 40% malolactic fermentation. It was listed at $38/bottle.
This wine will make my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2025, both for quality and value.
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
Pulled the last bottle of this vintage from the cellar this evening to pair with a baked rubbed chicken breast. The rub consisted of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper and a pat of butter on each breast before baking. Accompanied by baked potato wedges using Russet potatoes and seasoned with olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese and topped with parsley.
A fantastic food pairing with the cool and refreshing fruit of this gorgeous wine.
While I had picked up a few bottles back a few years ago, I think I will now pick up some current vintages to keep in the cellar as this was a delicious wine for this upcoming summer for gatherings with friends!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
May 7, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Michael,
I could not agree more. One of my all-time favorites.