2017 Karia Chardonnay, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Food Matching: Try pairing this medium-bodied Chardonnay with grilled whole fish with lemons and capers, seared scallops drizzled with lemon-infused olive oil, or roast chicken.

Vineyard: Karia comes from a tapestry of vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley. For the 2013 offering, vineyards in the Atlas Peak District, Carneros, Coombsville (Arcadia vineyard) and Oak Knoll (Danika Ranch) contributed fruit in equal parts. The vineyards in Carneros, which are cooled in the mornings and evenings by breezes sweeping north from San Pablo Bay, contribute citrus and mineral notes to the wine. Arcadia vineyard brings perfume and delicate fruit characters while our estate vineyard at Danika Ranch provides bright, juicy apple and pear personality to the blend. The fruit was picked early in the morning to keep it cool and then was whole cluster pressed to preserve the freshness. Oak and malolactic fermentation were used in moderation to accent, rather than overwhelm, the fruit.

Vinification: 86% of the wine is barrell fermented, while 14% is fermented in stainless steel. 21% of the wine goes in New French oak with seven and half months sur lie. 65% of the wine goes through MLF.