Bread & Butter Chardonnay 2023

Cellar for up to 4 years. Serve chilled. The Bread & Butter brand is best known for this lusciously creamy Chardonnay which epitomises the classic oaky California style. The estate is based in Napa Valley and makes no secret of their love of crafting big, bold wines that are ideal for drinking in any setting. The Bread in their name refers to their frequent use of oak barrels ageing while the Butter refers to the use of malolactic fermentation which creates that enticing buttery character in their delicious Chardonnays. The grapes for this bottling are sourced from two vineyards in two of Californias top appellations, Monterey and Carneros. Monterey has a long, warm growing season with plenty of fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This ensures the grapes achieve perfect ripeness while retaining freshness and aromatics. Carneros, on the other hand, is cooler which helps to add elegance and finesse to the finished blend. An explosion of ripe tropical fruit, toasted almonds and hints of sandalwood define the nose while the first sip reveals a powerful full body and soft, creamy texture. The oak ageing and fermentation has added seductive hints of brioche, fresh pastries and rich vanilla spice to the wine as well as a firm structure. A great wine to pair with everything from hearty salads to pan-fried fish served with a buttery sauce or even lasagna or aubergine parmigiana.