2021 Bridge Trail Lodi Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a grape variety that can produce wine in a wide array of styles. It’s really up to the individual vintner. As long as he or she has good, fully ripened fruit with which to work, the styles can range from lean and “steely” like the white wines of Burgundy, to big and creamy — the style that so many California winemakers have embraced.

The key to making a “big” Chardonnay is balance. The right choices need to be made in the cellar to ensure that the fruit flavors are not muted and the wood flavors of the oak barrels do not dominate. The use of malolactic fermentation — a process selected by the Bridge Trail winemaker — can add a creamy texture that marries beautifully with the fruit impressions.

The 2021 vintage will grab you with its alluring aroma, satiate your palate with its soft style, and insist on another sip with its big, long, delicious finish.