What Kind of Wine Is Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is a dry white wine made in the tradition of quality Californian wine-making. It is smoky, full of charred wood and butter aromas, with heavily toasted flavors. Full-bodied, with rich, tropical fruits that co-exist with its smoke and vanilla spice overlay, Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has grippy tannins and a pleasing acidity.
Chardonnay is a varietal grown and ripened in a variety of climates. It is early budding and suffers in areas with spring frosts. In cold and moderate weather conditions, it displays flavors of green fruit and citrus. On the opposite, in warm regions, like California, ripe tropical fruit flavors are common. In hot climates, Chardonnay loses acidity quickly towards the end of the ripening process, and therefore, the harvest timing is critical. Californian Chardonnays are usually full-bodied with a low-acid nature.
The elegant aromas and flavors of Chardonnay enable it to undergo different wine-making techniques. From vibrant with primary fruit flavors to complicated aromas of nuts and mushrooms, Chardonnay delivers several wine styles. In New World, the Chardonnay style depends on the winemaker. As a consequence, many are lightly or heavily oaked or are put away for long-term maturation.
JaM Cellars California Butter Chardonnay Review
- Winery — Jam Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Apple, Pear, Lime, Lemon Blossom, Charred Wood, Clove, Cinnamon Spice
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Butter, Caramel, Brioche Bread, Smoke, Vanilla Spice
- Alcohol Content — 14.8%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Salmon, Pasta Carbonara, Brie Flatbread, Cow And Sheep Milk Cheeses
For a creamy, powerful, and dynamic Chardonnay, look nowhere else. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is a fantastic example of quality Californian winemaking, crafted with juicy grapes, ripened and bursting with flavor. If I were in a wine store right now, I would grab a bottle without a second thought. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay delivers without complaint.
Tasting Notes
Having undergone oak-aging itself, Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has an endless smokiness. It is a clearly defined full-bodied white, which is very pleasant. On the nose, aromas of charred wood combine with ripe green fruits and citrus. Likewise, on the palate, the creaminess continues and is even more distinctive. There, tropical fruits interlace plush tannins and nutty flavors, driving to a satisfying finish. Meanwhile, the low acidity is bright and refreshes the mouth.
Appearance
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has a deep yellow hue and opens into an opaque center. After a couple of swirls, a golden color develops near the rim. The legs of the wine are medium and dense, almost hugging the glass. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay wine has a beautiful and fulfilling appearance. It shows its oaked nature from the first moment. Magnificent.
Aroma
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has a surpassing aromatic profile that celebrates its oak treatment. As soon as the bottle is uncorked, a multitude of overripe green and citrus fruit aromas emerge. Apple, pear, and lemon blossom join intense notes of charred wood and caramelized butter, dominating the nose. Followed by subtle hints of clove and cinnamon spice, adding sweet-smelling scents. Superb.
Taste
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is delicious, with a luscious mouth. A wealth of exotic fruit tastes, like ripe pineapple and mango, blend with smoke and vanilla spice notes, forming the savory palate. Despite the unstoppable creaminess, all of the flavors are in perfect balance. Also, a warmness lurks underneath the oak sensations, rounding the mouthfeel. The lively acidity offers a well-needed freshness, easing the intensity of this full-bodied white.
Finish
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay concludes the tasting profile with a lengthy and lingering finish. A hint of vanilla spice is prevalent as if refusing to part with the tongue, while the richness, previously experienced, is still present. So, the aftertaste is creamy and downright lovely. That is an ending equivalent to the best California Chardonnays.
Rating
Having undergone oak aging, Jam Cellars Butter is an easy-to-love Chardonnay. It is a beast of a white – rich, bold, and luscious, bursting with flavor and ripeness. Cream and butter brim with tropical fruit, apple, and citrus notes, as they lead to the gratifying vanilla spice finish. It is fantastic and melts in the mouth. Try a glass now.
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Food Pairing
The richness of Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay makes an incredible combination with the lush fattiness of salmon. The crunchy skin of pan-seared salmon gives a contrasting texture to the otherwise smooth wine flavors. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay also pairs well with cream-based sauces. As such, penne carbonara or even spaghetti Aglio e Olio accompany the wine divinely.
Oaked Chardonnays also go nicely with appetizers that have been cooked, like caramelized onion brie flatbread and cow and sheep’s milk cheeses. The cheeses, in fact, blend with the buttery character of the Chardonnay and deliver an unparalleled dining experience. Just remember to serve a handful of cranberries or blueberries with this cheese/wine combo to further enhance the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is a product of Jam Cellars, located in Napa Valley, California. Jam Cellars belongs to second-generation Napa vintners John and Michelle Antony. Having crafted premium wines for almost a decade, they decided to create more approachable wines that could be enjoyed anytime—on special occasions or everyday celebrations. From their first 1,000 cases in 2009 to 8,000 in 2011 to 450,000 in 2015, Jam Cellars keeps on growing. In recent years, they have also released Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay in cans.
How Is Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Made?
After harvest, the Chardonnay grapes are de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed to release their juice. Then, that juice is clarified to preserve the pure fruit character and placed into stainless steel tanks to undergo cool fermentation. Meanwhile, it undergoes malolactic conversation as well to increase its body while softening and rounding its mouthfeel. Afterwards, Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay ages in a distinct blend of oak barrels for substance and becomes creamy and luscious. Finally, the wine is filtered from sediments and bottled.
Where Is Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Made?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is produced in Napa Valley, California, the center of American wine. California has a Mediterranean climate, with combinations of warm and cool influences from the Atlantic. These weather conditions allow California to deliver a vast range of inexpensive and premium wine styles, with concentrated flavors and moderate acidity. Contrary to wines produced in different parts of the world, California wines conserve their fruit-forward nature.
How to Serve Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay?
As a full-bodied white wine, Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay needs chilling at fifty degrees Fahrenheit (ten degrees Celsius). After an hour or so in the fridge, pour the wine into medium-sized white wine glasses. The surface of the glass supplies the wine with essential aeration. So as the air comes into contact with the wine its aromatic and flavor intensity elevate.
To ensure Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay stays cool, place it in an ice bucket or wine cooler. The bucket should be filled three-quarters full with equal quantities of ice and water so that iced water surrounds the bottle. The water is then able to transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. Air acts as an insulator, and the bottle chills. Cooling too much though might be an issue, as over-chilling masks flavors in wines.
How Much Does Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Cost?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has a generally average price that varies depending on the outlet. However, that makes it easily obtainable by wine enthusiasts. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay prices range from $15 to $23 per 750ml bottle. Consumers should take the opportunity and buy the wine when they first see it. After all, not many Californian oaked Chardonnays are offered at such an approachable price point. So just go for it.
How Long Does Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Last?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay can benefit from long-term storage, just like most full-bodied Chardonnays that have undergone oak aging. After maturation, aromas and flavors of almond, hazelnut, dried apricot, and marmalade should develop. The wine’s luscious body and very high alcohol concentration make it an ideal candidate for bottle aging.
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay should be sealed with a cork and stored in a stable environment with a degree of humidity (fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit or ten to fifteen Celsius). Direct sunlight or artificial light should be avoided as they may damage the wine and make it faulty. Odors also have to be kept at bay, as they might find their way inside the bottle and instill unpleasant aromas and flavors, like vinegar.
How Many Calories Does Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay Have?
Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay has a low-caloric density for an oaked white. There are approximately 25 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, amounting to 150 calories per serving. The total calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 5 grams of sodium, 0 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and approximately 1 gram of total sugars. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay calories do not pose a threat to consumers on a diet, as they are typical for a full-bodied white. Wine enthusiasts, therefore, can enjoy this bottling guilt-free. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay alcohol content is high at 14.8% per 750ml bottle, an alcohol concentration similar to fortified wine.
Conclusion
For a creamy, powerful, and dynamic Chardonnay, look nowhere else. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay is a fantastic example of quality Californian winemaking, crafted with juicy grapes, ripened and bursting with flavor. If I were in a wine store right now, I would grab a bottle without a second thought. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay delivers without complaint.
