Heitz 2021 Quartz Creek Chardonnay

From the heart of Rutherford comes the Heitz Cellar 2021 Quartz Creek Chardonnay, a wine that embodies the marriage of tradition and precision, radiating a sense of place that only Napa Valley can provide. This vineyard-driven Chardonnay stands as a testament to meticulous viticulture and winemaking, offering a wine of stunning clarity, depth, and balance. Quartz Creek Vineyard, with its gravelly alluvial soils, lends both minerality and energy to the wine, creating a Chardonnay that captures freshness while delivering complexity. This is Napa Valley Chardonnay at its most elegant and refined, a reflection of heritage and terroir that sets Heitz Cellar apart.

In the glass, the wine opens with shimmering notes of white peach, Meyer lemon, and fresh pear, lifted by a current of citrus blossom and honeysuckle. A quiet whisper of wet stone underscores the aromatic profile, weaving in the distinctive mineral edge that Quartz Creek imparts. On the palate, the texture is both precise and layered, showing vibrant acidity that frames the fruit while allowing subtle notes of almond, hazelnut, and brioche to emerge. The wine unfolds with graceful momentum, revealing wave after wave of stone fruit, citrus zest, and saline minerality, all converging in a finish of remarkable persistence.

What makes the 2021 Quartz Creek Chardonnay so compelling is the harmony between its richness and its tension. It is never heavy or overwrought, instead walking a fine line between opulence and restraint. The deft use of oak provides nuance rather than dominance, contributing to a creamy mid-palate while preserving the crystalline purity of the fruit. This interplay creates a Chardonnay that feels timeless yet modern, approachable now but structured enough to reward cellaring over the next decade.

Heitz Cellar has long been revered for its Cabernet Sauvignon, but with Quartz Creek Chardonnay, the estate demonstrates that its mastery extends to white wines of profound character. This wine speaks to collectors and enthusiasts who value precision, terroir expression, and age-worthy elegance. Pair it with dishes such as seared scallops, lobster risotto, or roasted chicken with lemon and herbs to highlight its vibrancy and depth.

The Heitz Cellar 2021 Quartz Creek Chardonnay is not just a bottle of wine—it is an invitation to experience Napa Valley Chardonnay elevated to its highest expression. For those seeking a white wine that combines purity, finesse, and longevity, this offering is a benchmark, destined to stand among the finest wines of its kind.

Alcohol: 12%

94 POINTS - "The 2021 Chardonnay Quartz Creek Vineyard is fabulous and also a step up from the 2020 tasted alongside it. Effusive floral top notes open first. Silky and creamy on the palate, with gorgeous finesse, the 2021 is, first and foremost, a wine of harmony. Low yields created by drought and a cool, long growing season yielded an especially intense young Chardonnay." - Vinous

92 POINTS - "Cool and almost mentholated on the nose, with concentrated lime essence, the 2021 Chardonnay Quartz Creek Vineyard is the only Chardonnay currently made by Heitz, using fruit from this Burgess-owned vineyard in Oak Knoll. It's medium-bodied, linear in feel and quite tight, with a long, taut finish." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

91 POINTS - "An impressively supple, creamy texture establishes the groundwork for this lovely, elegant wine, with flavors of toasted and salted cashew, lemon curd and pear pastry. Offers a hint of crushed rocks on the finish. Drink now. 1,310 cases made." Wine Spectator

Our 2016 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay showcases the appellation and our vision for this wine beautifully, giving us the classic mix of lively fruit, nutty spice, creamy richness and mouthwatering freshness we love. The nose leads with round yet focused aromas of pear, lemon oil, brioche, and roasted chestnuts. Delicate lily of the valley floral hints weave their way through, adding a pretty touch. The mouth is full of rich decadence while retaining its core of bright acidity, like a key lime crème brulee. Flavors of green apple, mango, apricot, and Eureka lemon are accented by toasted hazelnuts and toffee.