Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2017
Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2017 is a 750mL California Chardonnay from Gnarly Head, the Delicato Family Wines brand named for Lodi's gnarled, head-trained old vines. The winemaker notes published for this 2017 vintage describe a juicy, full-bodied Chardonnay: bright citrus aromatics of lemon zest and honeydew melon with a hint of toasty oak, and bold citrus and apple flavours with a touch of vanilla. No ABV for the 2017 has been published in a tech sheet — the figure on the bottle's label governs. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: Not published for the 2017 vintage — see the bottle label (13.5% is documented for neighbouring vintages)
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2017
- Style: California Chardonnay — juicy, full-bodied (2017 winemaker notes)
- Origin: California — the brand's current Chardonnay draws on Lodi and Monterey vineyards
- Producer: Gnarly Head — a Delicato Family Wines brand (Delicato founded 1924)
Named for the Vines
Gnarly Head's founding story starts in Lodi, where the brand's winemakers went looking for old-vine Zinfandel and found free-standing, head-trained vines — some planted over a century ago — whose gnarled trunks gave the brand its name. Delicato Family Wines, family-owned since 1924, built the range on that fruit-first idea, and Scott Jones has been the brand's winemaker since 2008. The current Chardonnay blends Lodi's ripe richness with Monterey's citrus and acidity; this bottle is the 2017 vintage. Explore the brand on the Gnarly Head vendor page or browse more white wine.
Tasting Notes
From the published 2017 winemaker notes: Nose: Lemon zest and honeydew melon with a hint of toasty oak. Palate: Bold citrus and apple flavours with a touch of vanilla, juicy and full-bodied. Finish: Bright and fruit-led.
How to Enjoy
The 2017 notes' own pairings: chicken curry, grilled shrimp and spaghetti carbonara — a Chardonnay with enough body for cream and enough citrus for spice. Serve chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vintage is this? 2017 — the vintage is part of this listing's title, and the tasting notes above are the ones published for that vintage.
How strong is it? No 2017 tech sheet publishes an ABV (13.5% is documented for the 2016 and 2021 vintages); check the bottle's back label for its exact figure.
Who makes Gnarly Head? Delicato Family Wines of California, a family winery founded in 1924 — Gnarly Head is its old-vine-inspired brand.
A 2017 Chardonnay with its vintage notes intact — get Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2017 online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.