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Plumpjack Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018
Limited New release of Plumpjack's Reserve Chardonnay - limited. The 2018 PlumpJack Reserve Chardonnay is a fantastic Napa Chardonnay. Aromas of white peaches, pear, orange blossom and warm apple pie filling are followed on the palate with flavors of Fuji apples, cinnamon stick and lemon curd. Very pleasant to drink now but the acidity gives it room to age. Plumpjack opts not for the typical profile of Napa Chardonnay with this bottling, but for the "alternative," without malolactic fermentation, and the attendant buttery palate profile. The winery's vintage note explains: "The cooler Carneros site imparts this wine with fresh green apple and Bartlett pear on the nose, while the warmer St. Helena site lends to some tropical notes. The Carneros vineyard also gives this wine a beautiful, bright, lively acidity, which is balanced by the creamy, rich texture of the St. Helena fruit. A touch of oak gives the wine traces of vanilla, flint, and spice."
Ratings on Delectable
Ron R 
A nice cool, steely chard, with a precise structure. A touch of honeycomb on the nose, with lemon zest and a waxy component on the mid palate. Oak treatment is judicious.
A nice cool, steely chard, with a precise structure. A touch of honeycomb on the nose, with lemon zest and a waxy component on the mid palate. Oak treatment is judicious.
9.3Ron R
Chocky soufflé made by my soul mate, Anne-Marie. Nothing is better than this, although the Plumpjack is rock solid. Prior notes apply.
Chocky soufflé made by my soul mate, Anne-Marie. Nothing is better than this, although the Plumpjack is rock solid. Prior notes apply.
9.3
Shay A
Similar to the 2017, I expected this to be a big butter bomb (knowing the general Plumpjack style) but it was quite steely initially, before opening up and showing a touch more roundness from the scant use of oak. Believe this is aged 70-80% stainless. On both the nose and palate, I picked up banana bread, melon and cantaloupe, with roasted lemon and honeyed pineapple toward the finish. It goes back and forth between coming across as a super viscous SB, and a lighter/mineral Napa Chardonnay (though not as flabby as some Napa chards can be). I found this to be a step up from the 2017, and is definitely best enjoyed right above cellar temp. My thanks to my friend @Ron R for his generosity in sending this after hearing of my less than stellar experience with their 2017.
Similar to the 2017, I expected this to be a big butter bomb (knowing the general Plumpjack style) but it was quite steely initially, before opening up and showing a touch more roundness from the scant use of oak. Believe this is aged 70-80% stainless. On both the nose and palate, I picked up banana bread, melon and cantaloupe, with roasted lemon and honeyed pineapple toward the finish. It goes back and forth between coming across as a super viscous SB, and a lighter/mineral Napa Chardonnay (though not as flabby as some Napa chards can be). I found this to be a step up from the 2017, and is definitely best enjoyed right above cellar temp. My thanks to my friend @Ron R for his generosity in sending this after hearing of my less than stellar experience with their 2017.
9.2Ron R
Have to work today, but Plumpy attenuates the pain. A clean, mineral-driven chard, which will sail on in the cellar for some time. Prior notes apply.
Have to work today, but Plumpy attenuates the pain. A clean, mineral-driven chard, which will sail on in the cellar for some time. Prior notes apply.
9.3Ron R
Very consistent. Mineral driven. Lithe with roasted nuts and relaxed acidity. Prior notes apply. We love this.
Very consistent. Mineral driven. Lithe with roasted nuts and relaxed acidity. Prior notes apply. We love this.
9.3Ron R
While we don’t often drink Plumpjack chard, we find it nothing but consistent. Notes of quince, pears on the nose, combined with green olives on the palate. Medium weight on the mid palate, leaning towards somewhat edgy. We are really enjoying this. Maybe we are biased, as we have a soft spot for this producer.
While we don’t often drink Plumpjack chard, we find it nothing but consistent. Notes of quince, pears on the nose, combined with green olives on the palate. Medium weight on the mid palate, leaning towards somewhat edgy. We are really enjoying this. Maybe we are biased, as we have a soft spot for this producer.
9.3
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