($34): Here’s another example of a renowned Napa Valley winery that has made their reputation on red wines turning out a fine Chardonnay.  In 1996, more than two decades after Warren Winiarski founded Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, he purchased the Arcadia Vineyard, which had originally been developed by Grgich Hills and was the source for some of their fine Chardonnays.  Stag’s Leap takes grapes from Arcadia Vineyard, which are not quite up to snuff for their single vineyard bottling, combines them with fruit from a variety of other Napa Valley vineyards to produce their Karia Chardonnay.  Think of it as a “second” wine — and a very good one at that.  Befitting the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars style, the Karia Chardonnay is refined and restrained, delivering enormous pleasure without hitting you over the head.  Invigorating acidity makes you want to drink it — not just taste it — over the course of a meal.
92 Michael Apstein Aug 5, 2014