67Wine
ZD Wines Chardonnay California 2023 750ml
🇺🇸 Richness of lemon curd and balanced flavors of guava with white peach.
ZD Wines Chardonnay — California 2023
ZD Wines has been crafting benchmark California Chardonnay for over 55 years, and the 2023 vintage — the estate’s 55th harvest — is a landmark expression of everything the house does best. Sourced from certified-organic grapes across three premier coastal appellations — Napa Carneros, Sonoma Carneros, and Monterey — the fruit is hand-harvested at...Show More >
ZD Wines Chardonnay — California 2023
ZD Wines has been crafting benchmark California Chardonnay for over 55 years, and the 2023 vintage — the estate’s 55th harvest — is a landmark expression of everything the house does best. Sourced from certified-organic grapes across three premier coastal appellations — Napa Carneros, Sonoma Carneros, and Monterey — the fruit is hand-harvested at night to preserve freshness, then 100% barrel-fermented in ZD’s custom-designed cellar at a cool 48°F. This long, cool fermentation maximizes lees contact for richness and depth while deliberately avoiding malolactic fermentation to preserve the wine’s signature bright coastal acidity. Ten months in 100% American oak adds complexity and the house’s hallmark crème brûlée finish. The 2023 earned 90 points and three Gold Medals in 2025 — Los Angeles Invitational, San Francisco Chronicle, and Pacific Rim International.
The color is pale yellow with a luminous hue. The nose bursts with ripe Asian pear, green apple, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, and nectarine. On the palate, it is vibrant and richly textured — lemon curd, guava, and white peach are framed by mouthwatering acidity and a long, complex finish of crème brûlée and vanillin. Sunshine in a glass.
90 Points • Gold Medal — Los Angeles Invitational Wine Challenge 2025
Gold Medal — San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2025
Gold Medal — Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2025
- Producer: ZD Wines, Napa Valley, California, USA
- Vintage: 2023 (55th Harvest)
- Appellation: California
- Sources: Napa Carneros, Sonoma Carneros, Monterey — certified organic
- Varietal: Chardonnay
- Harvest: Hand-harvested at night
- Vinification: 100% barrel-fermented at 48°F, no malolactic fermentation, 10 months in 100% American oak
- Size: 750ml
- Tasting Notes: Asian pear, green apple, honeydew, pink grapefruit, lemon curd, guava, white peach, crème brûlée, vanillin, long finish
- Best Paired With: Lobster, grilled halibut, crab cakes, roast chicken, creamy pasta, soft-ripened cheeses
Fifty-five harvests, three gold medals, and zero malolactic fermentation — ZD’s California Chardonnay is the benchmark that keeps raising the bar.
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Wine Information:
Country: United States
Region: California
Sub-Region:
Appellation:
Variety: Chardonnay
Type: Whites
Size: 750ml
Choose when time is of the essence
This Chardonnay displays beautiful undertones of a golden hue hinting at an upcoming treat for your senses. Aromas of crème brûlée, green apple, and Meyer lemon zest mingle with tropical fruits reminiscent of ripe pineapple and mango. The palate follows through as rich and lush, highlighting characteristics of guava, lime zest, and caramelized banana foster. In ZD’s signature California Chardonnay style, the wine is vibrant, bright, and has a long-lasting finish with great acidity and vanillin notes.
