The 2024 Carmenet Reserve Buttery Chardonnay showcases the creamy, full-bodied side of California Chardonnay, but stems from a surprisingly concrete family story in Lodi. Since 1983, Carmenet Reserve has centered on the family-owned Forest Lake Vineyard, where a French-inspired style with a distinct Californian flair is pursued. What do we mean by "Buttery Chardonnay"? It is a Chardonnay profile characterized by creaminess, toasty vanilla, butterscotch, and a soft hint of oak—precisely the signature that makes this wine so recognizable.
The origin here is broader than just a regional name on the label, yet it is clearly rooted in California and Lodi.
- Location / Origin: This wine carries the California appellation. Within Carmenet Reserve, the roots of the story lie in the family-owned Forest Lake Vineyard in Lodi, where this style has been cultivated since 1983.
- Vineyard & Harvest: The fruit comes from sustainably farmed California vineyards. This aligns perfectly with a wine that focuses on ripe fruit, suppleness, and a modern, accessible style.
The structure of the wine is intentionally kept soft and accessible, ensuring the creamy style remains beautifully balanced.
- Style profile: With 12.5% alcohol, 3.17 g/L residual sugar, 5.03 g/L total acidity, and a pH of 3.49, this Chardonnay retains enough freshness to beautifully support its broad, creamy palate.
The blend is almost entirely based on Chardonnay, with a very small addition that primarily supports the rounded house style.
- 99% Chardonnay – California: Chardonnay forms the clear core of the wine, giving it its full, creamy, and buttery profile.
- 1% Proprietary White – California: This small addition remains in the background, primarily supporting the rounded, soft style of the blend.
