Full Review

CK Mondavi

CK Mondavi
2023 Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.4% RS: .05%
85 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$7

CK Mondavi
2023 Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.4% RS: .05%
Yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of bruised yellow apple, pear skin, and cream corn with a velvety, vibrant, dry medium body and a crisp finish evoking accents of yellow apple, bee pollen, caramel, and oaky vanilla and spices with light oak flavor. An uncomplicated crowd pleasing Cali Chard.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: bruised yellow apple, pear skin, and cream corn
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with accents of yellow apple, bee pollen, caramel, and oaky vanilla and spices
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Turkey, Roasted Chicken, Boiled Lobster
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An uncomplicated crowd pleasing Cali Chard.

The Producer

CK Mondavi & Family

The Producer
572 Gateway Drive
Napa, CA 94558
USA

Their Portfolio

86 CK Mondavi 2021 Merlot, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
86 CK Mondavi 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.6% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2019 Oak Aged Family Select Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14.3% (USA) $16.99.
85 CK Mondavi 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
88 CK Mondavi 2022 Chardonnay, California 13.4% (USA) $7.00.
90 CK Mondavi 2022 Family Select, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $16.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2022 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
88 CK Mondavi 2022 Merlot, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.6% (USA) $7.00.
85 CK Mondavi 2023 Chardonnay, California 13.4% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2023 Pinot Grigio, California 12% (USA) $7.00.
85 CK Mondavi 2022 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
86 CK Mondavi 2022 Dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
87 Flat Top Hills 2021 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $15.00.
93 French Blue NV Brut Rose, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
92 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
92 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut Rosé, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut Rosé, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $24.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $24.00.
91 French Blue 2023 Rosé, Bordeaux AOC 13% (France) $15.00.
91 French Blue 2021 Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux AOC 13.5% (France) $15.00.
88 French Blue 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux AOC 12% (France) $15.00.

Chardonnay

Wine Glass White.jpg
Serve in a White Wine Glass
Chardonnay is arguably the world’s most famous white variety, thanks to its success in France’s Burgundy region as well as throughout much of California. Chardonnay on its own has rather straightforward, pleasant aromas of apple and pear, but when aged (and sometimes fermented) in small oak barrels, the wines take on extra richness as well as notes of toasted almond, vanilla and yeast.

The most renowned examples of Chardonnay are from small villages and vineyards in Burgundy, such as Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. These wines are very powerful with ample spicy notes and very good acidity; they age very well, sometimes as long as 20-25 years. Another part of Burgundy, Chablis, is home to more restrained style of Chardonnay. Certain areas of California, especially Russian River Valley in Sonoma and Santa Barbara County are also home to many distinguished examples of Chardonnay, with those from the latter region often displaying tropical fruit flavors.

Given that most Chardonnnays are aged in small oak barrels, there has been a movement as of late to give consumers a mored delicate style of Chardonnay, without all the spicy and toasty flavors. Thus there are now many producers that produce non-oak aged Chardonnays; this has been seen from many producers from Australia as well as a few in California as well.

Chardonnay, especially oak-aged versions, are quite rich and need seafood of equal richness at the dinner table. Thus lobster, halibut and swordfish are ideal food pairings.