Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023
Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023 is a 14.1% ABV, 750mL flagship Chardonnay — 100% Chardonnay from Carneros and Napa Valley, fermented and aged in French oak with restrained malolactic conversion for richness without heaviness. It earned 93 points from James Suckling ("generous aromas of preserved lemons, flint, grapefruit and brioche"). Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 14.1% (per 2023 retail listings — bottle read to confirm; winery's 2022 sheet shows 13.8%)
- Vintage: 2023
- Size: 750mL
- Winemaking: French oak barrel fermentation and aging; ~9.5% malolactic; lees stirring
- Grape: 100% Chardonnay, Carneros fruit
- Score: 93 points, James Suckling
The Flagship Since 1973
Cakebread's very first wine was a 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay, and this bottling has anchored the estate's identity for five decades. The 2023 opens with ripe green and golden apple, white peach, and light oak; the palate is silken, with apple, citrus, and pear balanced by refreshing acidity. Explore more white wine or browse the Cakebread Cellars collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Ripe green and golden apple, white peach, light oak; preserved lemon, flint, brioche (James Suckling).
Palate: Silken and full-bodied — apple, citrus, pear, vanilla, baking spice, bright acidity.
Finish: Long and clean, with underlying minerality and lemon.
How to Enjoy
Serve cool, not ice-cold. A versatile food wine: roast chicken, seared scallops with brown butter, grilled salmon, butternut squash risotto, and nearly any cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did the 2023 Cakebread Chardonnay get?
93 points from James Suckling.
Is Cakebread Chardonnay oaked?
Yes — fermented and aged in French oak (~29% new on the 2022 sheet), with restrained malolactic for roundness.
Where are the grapes grown?
Primarily Carneros — the cool climate keeps fruit and acidity in balance.
What is the alcohol content?
14.1% ABV per 2023 retail listings.
Napa's flagship Chardonnay in a 93-point vintage — order Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay 2023 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.