Courtney Benham
Unoaked Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
Courtney Bentham Unoaked Chardonnay 2023
Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Chardonnay, aged entirely in stainless steel for 6 months. This unoaked style highlights the pure, crisp side of California Chardonnay—clean, sharp, and fruit-forward—offering a modern contrast to the richer, oak-driven styles the state is often known for.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh notes of green apple, lemon zest, and pear dominate, with subtle hints of peach blossom and saline minerality. No oak influence means the fruit character shines through brightly.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied, crisp, and refreshing with vibrant acidity. The finish is dry, clean, and mouthwatering, leaving a lingering citrus snap.
Winemaking Notes
Stainless steel fermentation and aging (100%, 6 months) preserve the purity of fruit and emphasize freshness over creaminess.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with oysters, sushi, fresh goat cheese, or citrus-marinated grilled chicken. Ideal as an aperitif on a warm day.
Verdict
A quintessential example of unoaked California Chardonnay—bright, precise, and zesty. For those who prefer freshness and minerality over richness, this is a pure, elegant sipper that captures Santa Barbara’s coastal vibrancy.
Courtney Bentham Unoaked Chardonnay 2023
Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Chardonnay, aged entirely in stainless steel for 6 months. This unoaked style highlights the pure, crisp side of California Chardonnay—clean, sharp, and fruit-forward—offering a modern contrast to the richer, oak-driven styles the state is often known for.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh notes of green apple, lemon zest, and pear dominate, with subtle hints of peach blossom and saline minerality. No oak influence means the fruit character shines through brightly.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied, crisp, and refreshing with vibrant acidity. The finish is dry, clean, and mouthwatering, leaving a lingering citrus snap.
Winemaking Notes
Stainless steel fermentation and aging (100%, 6 months) preserve the purity of fruit and emphasize freshness over creaminess.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with oysters, sushi, fresh goat cheese, or citrus-marinated grilled chicken. Ideal as an aperitif on a warm day.
Verdict
A quintessential example of unoaked California Chardonnay—bright, precise, and zesty. For those who prefer freshness and minerality over richness, this is a pure, elegant sipper that captures Santa Barbara’s coastal vibrancy.
A small lot produced Chardonnay from Central Coast California, where alluvial, Loam and clay soils and cool clime is the main characteristics to produced a very crispy Chard. 100% steely, clean, sharp, citrus zest, and apricot notes and same flavor collide in the back-end of the palate. Under ripen pineapple and yellow apple keeps lingering after 5 seconds. Very mild Malolactic Fermentation (feels fruity and alive). Liked the zero oaky aspect of it. A perfect supper without any food.
A small lot produced Chardonnay from Central Coast California, where alluvial, Loam and clay soils and cool clime is the main characteristics to produced a very crispy Chard. 100% steely, clean, sharp, citrus zest, and apricot notes and same flavor collide in the back-end of the palate. Under ripen pineapple and yellow apple keeps lingering after 5 seconds. Very mild Malolactic Fermentation (feels fruity and alive). Liked the zero oaky aspect of it. A perfect supper without any food.
Mar 3rd, 2025
