2016 Frank Family Vineyards Beckstoffer Lake Vineyard Reserve Napa Carneros Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.44, TA 0.60, 200 cases, Wine Club only. Released March 2018. Inaugural bottling. Heavy bottle with embossed label. Barrel fermented in 50% new and 60% once-filled French oak barrels for 9 months. Regular lees stirring to promote depth. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. This wine has considerable “minerality” on the nose with aromas of riverbed, slate and lemon peel. Big and saucy for a Chardonnay, yet everything is kept in balance. The flavors of pear and apple and offer only subtle citrus notes. Creamy in the mouth from full malolactic fermentation. The wine’s bright acidity and firm structure holds the rich fruit in check. Stylistically, this wine is similar to the Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, but but it is more in tune with my palate. Score: 94. Reviewed June 29, 2018

Winery: Frank Family Vineyards
From article: Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay