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The Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2022 is a wine I found selling at Costco for $15.99. A check of the web saw average internet prices of around $20. Cambria Vineyards is part of the Jackson Family Wines portfolio (think Kendall-Jacjson), and this is Katherine (Katie) Jackson’s winery. This is a single vineyard wine, and the vineyard is named Katherine’s Vineyard.
The Story
The Santa Maria Valley AVA is in the heart of the Santa Barbara AVA. The Valley runs east-west, bringing cool Pacific Ocean winds into the vineyards. Katherine’s Vineyard is well-located near several other top vineyards. The vineyard was planted in 1986 and is named for the proprietor. The vineyard is planted on ancient soil that was once part of the Pacific Ocean seafloor.
The Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2022 is 100% Chardonnay using 75% Clone 4, the Wente Clone, plus clones 76 and 96. Clones of grapes are important because they bring different flavors and textures into the wine. Under $20, wines typically only list the clones used when they have control over the grape source.
Katherine’s Vineyard is produced in a way that I have found desirable in the past. Half of the juice is fermented in Stainless Steel vats with no malolactic fermentation, and half is oak barrel fermented with full malolactic fermentation. This gives the Chardonnay both tart citrus and smooth fruit flavors.
This Chardonnay was then aged 18% new French oak barrels for 5 months. It was aged “on lees,” which means the dead yeast was kept with the juice. On Lees can give the wine a nutty/salty flavor, and if the lees are stirred enough, a creamy texture.
The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is a clear, shiny golden yellow. The nose is a melon, lemon curd, green apple stew, followed by a slightly vegetal scent, vanilla, burnt butterscotch, and a floral edge. The Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2022 has a rounded mouth-feel with interesting flavors.
This Chardonnay tastes like apple, peach, vanilla creme, pear, lemon, stone fruit, and soft spice. The mid-palate adds dried pineapple, lime, and nectarine.
The acidity is nicely balanced, and this Chardonnay has good length.
The Summary
- The Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2022 is an excellent Chardonnay at a good price.
- A single vineyard (and a really good vineyard, too) wine produced with interesting production methods.
- An upscale wine at a value price.
