McManis Family Vineyards River Junction Chardonnay
- 0.75L | 13.5%
Gratis verzending met PostNL vanaf €100,-
Gratis avondbezorging via Trunkrs vanaf €150,-
McManis Family Vineyards River Junction Chardonnay
Taste & Aging
Complexity
Beautifully layeredDrinking Window
Aromas
Food Pairing
Vintage Report
McManis Family Vineyards River Junction Chardonnay River Junction AVA, United States
In River Junction, where the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers meet, Chardonnay enjoys a cooler growing climate than in many surrounding parts of California. That 2–5 degree difference and the greater fluctuation between day and night give this wine precisely the combination of ripe fruit and fresh tension that makes it more than a simple, full-bodied California Chardonnay. Pear, melon, and peach keep the fruit bright, while malolactic fermentation and 4 months of aging in French and American oak provide additional texture and softness.
Vineyards and Region
The origin here is not an afterthought, but an important part of the style.
- Location / Origin: All the fruit for this Chardonnay comes from McManis’ own River Junction AVA, at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers in California.
- Climate & Influences: The vineyards are mostly below the water level throughout the year, making it 2–5 degrees cooler than in the surrounding area and amplifying the difference between day and night temperatures. This helps to beautifully combine ripeness and fruit retention.
- Vineyard & Harvest: The harvest ran from August 4th to September 14th, with an average Brix of 24.4. This suits a Chardonnay that can be ripe and full-bodied, yet needs to retain sufficient freshness.
Vinification and aging
The cellar approach here focuses on breadth, creaminess, and a distinct, accessible oak influence.
- Fermentation: The wine is cold-fermented in stainless steel and then filtered before oak aging. Approximately two-thirds of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, which provides additional complexity and a softer texture.
- Aging / Oak Maturation: After that, the wine ages for 4 months in French and American oak. This gives it vanilla, a creamier mouthfeel, and just enough toast to add complexity to the ripe fruit.
- Alcohol percentage: At 13.5% alcohol, this Chardonnay has enough power to carry its ripe fruit and oak influence without losing its balance.
Grape composition
This is all about one grape that can produce a ripe yet remarkably balanced style in River Junction.
- Chardonnay – River Junction AVA: Chardonnay forms the complete basis and gives the wine its combination of pear, melon, peach, creaminess, and a soft, broad structure.
Tasting notes and serving suggestions
Light golden straw in the glass, with an open aroma of pear, melon, and peach. On the palate, this Chardonnay is rich and soft, with notes of stone fruit, banana, vanilla, and a subtle hint of buttery popcorn that gives it extra texture. The finish remains broad and creamy, but retains enough fruit to stay lively.
- Serving temperature: 10–12 °C works best here, as this range keeps the ripe fruit bright while allowing enough room for the creamy oak influence.
- Dishes: Grilled chicken, pasta with creamy sauce, baked salmon, or a hearty aperitif moment without food pair well here, as the wine combines breadth, fruit, and soft oak notes effectively.
Awards
- 94 points, Best of Class, Gold Medal, LA International (V2023): A very strong rating that fits the rich, oak-supported style of this Chardonnay well.
- 91 points and Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast (V2023): Best Buy emphasizes that this wine not only offers quality but does so convincingly within its price range.
- Silver Medal, Critics Challenge (V2024): A decent international confirmation that even a later vintage manages to maintain this style well.
- Silver Medal, Fort Worth Rodeo Wine Competition (V2023): Additional recognition for a vintage that was clearly widely appreciated.
- Silver Medal, Houston Rodeo Wine Competition (V2023): Another confirmation that this cuvée consistently performs strongly in competitions.
More information about McManis Family Vineyards
McManis Family Vineyards operates from Ripon, California, building on 5 generations of family history in agriculture. The winery places great emphasis on estate-grown fruit from its own AVAs, family tradition, and sustainable certification, which aligns well with a wine like this where origin and proprietary vineyard management visibly play a significant role.
Product details
| Alcohol content | 13.5% |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 0.75L |
| Region | California |
| Sub-region | Central Valley |
| Appellation | San Joaquin |
| Producer | McManis |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Oak aging | Yes, Aged in new and used French and American oak barrels. |
| Ideal serving temperature ? | 10° - 12°C |
| Storage at perfecte wijn | Air conditioned at 18°c |
