What Kind of Wine Is William Hill Chardonnay?
William Hill Chardonnay is a luscious dry white wine from Napa Valley, the heart of the American wine industry. It has undergone malolactic fermentation and has aged in oak barrels for a considerable time. That bestows aromas of caramel and juicy layers of ripe peach and citrus on the palate. Hints of spices also complement the wine’s fresh finish.
By far, Chardonnay is considered one of the most popular and widely planted white grape varieties. And it produces some of the most iconic white and sparkling wines. Although it might be native to France, it has now found its way to the New World. When vinified in France, Chardonnay gives some high-end and long-lived white wines with finesse. It also produces exceptional sparkling wines, such as Champagne. Furthermore, it performs well in a variety of climates.
For example, it can grow in cool regions like Chablis, Burgundy or warm areas like Napa Valley, California. But, it is an early-budding varietal, and that makes it prone to spring frosts, so great care is needed when growing it. In addition, Chardonnay loses its acidity quickly, so the time of harvest is crucial to avoid ending with extra juicy, unbalanced grapes.
William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay Review
- Winery — William Hill Estate
- Country/Region — United States, California. Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Anjou Pear, Apple, White Peach, Bell Pepper, Smoke, Crème Brûlée
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Peach, Apricot, Golden Apple, Grapefruit, Lemon Peel, Brioche Bread, Lemon Shortbread, Coconut, Vanilla Spice
- Alcohol Content — 13.9%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Halibut, Cod, Shellfish, Chicken, Poultry, Roasted Nuts
Do you know why William Hill Chardonnay is so great? Because it maintains all of the structural characteristics of rich Napa Valley Chardonnays: Creamy but not overwhelming, fresh fruit aromas, brioche bread flavors, baking spice overtones, zippy acidity, and savory finish. It is so perfectly balanced, like a piece of fine art. Complex and dynamic, William Hill Chardonnay does not disappoint. Buy a bottle with confidence now!
Tasting Notes
William Hill Chardonnay wine opens with bright strawberry and raspberry fragrances. Next, flavors of black currant and cherry blend deliciously in the mouth. Later, notes of forest floor contribute an earthy nature, leading to a smooth finish. The vibrant acidity invigorates as wine fans keep sipping William Hill Chardonnay. A gorgeous tasting profile equal to the best Oregon Pinots.
Appearance
As expected, William Hill Chardonnay has a light ruby color. Despite its paleness, it is eye-catching, as, after some time in the glass, it starts developing into purple near the rim. The center is translucent, while the legs of the wine are long and watery. An elegant appearance that pleases wine fans and prepares them for the delightful wine-drinking journey ahead.
Aroma
William Hill Chardonnay has a fragrant nose that shows a wealth of red berries with hints of earth. Like an eruption of aromas, strawberry, raspberry, and plum surface as the wine pours into the glass. Close by, notes of tree bark and soil add earthiness, while a touch of charcoal unearths too. That is a striking aromatic profile, fruit intense but complicated.
Taste
William Hill Chardonnay is delicious in the mouth. Layers of ripe peach, apricot, and golden apple dominate the palate. At the same time, the wine has a buttery texture and tastes of grapefruit and lemon peel. On top of that, notes of brioche bread and shortbread characterize the silky mouthfeel. And flavors of coconut and vanilla spice are absolutely superb. The zippy acidity offsets the ripeness and provides balance, giving this wine a firm backbone.
Finish
With a long and lingering finish, William Hill Chardonnay closes the tasting profile as excitingly as it opened it. The wine retains its varietal nature as strawberry and cherry flavors remain on the tip of the tongue, combined with a touch of soil. The vibrant acidity is refreshing and provides that long-sought freshness.
Rating
William Hill Chardonnay is sophisticated and easy-going. It is a proud representation of Oregon Pinots, but at the same time, it aims to be as accessible as possible. To achieve this, it showcases several fresh fruits in the nose and the mouth and blends them with chocolate and earthly hints. Because of these traits, I would definitely recommend this one! William Hill Chardonnay is as complex and approachable as it needs to be. It is perfectly balanced!
William Hill Chardonnay Food Pairing
William Hill Chardonnay pairs splendidly with meaty fish like halibut or cod, as well as shellfish. For instance, pan-seared halibut with lemon and sea salt or baked cod marinated in dried basil and oregano are perfect with this wine. And you can also serve William Hill Chardonnay together with lightly seasoned poultry and pork dishes. Crispy chicken strips or a pulled pork sandwich are delicious with William Hill Chardonnay. Do complement this wine with foods with toasted flavors, like roasted nuts, too. You will not regret it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes William Hill Chardonnay?
William Hill Chardonnay is a product of the Union Wine Company, located in Oregon. Founded in 2005 by Ryan Harms, the owner, Union Wine Co., creates accessible wines to be shared with friends and family. Ryan Harms has worked as a winemaker for many Oregon wineries throughout his career. At Union Wine Co., he creates the marriage of craft and small-scale manufacturing. Union Wine Company belongs to Constellation Brands, one of the largest wine wholesalers in the United States.
How Is William Hill Chardonnay Made?
The grapes are hand-picked. After harvest, they are destemmed, crushed, and the whole cluster pressed to release juice. Then, that juice is clarified to preserve the pure fruit character. Afterward, it is placed into barrels to undergo fermentation at ambient cellar temperatures of sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). Following primary fermentation, William Hill Chardonnay undergoes malolactic fermentation with sur lie aging in thirty percent new American oak. When this is over, the final wine is filtered and bottled.
Where Is William Hill Chardonnay Made?
William Hill Chardonnay is made in Saint Helena, located in the north of Napa County. It receives the warmest daytime temperatures and produces some of the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in California. Cool air through the Chalk Hill and the Mayacamas Mountains provides relief from oppressive afternoon temperatures. The cooler night-time temperatures preserve acidity in the grapes. Although Cabernet Sauvignon is the focus here, Zinfandel and Syrah are also grown.
Grapes used in the production of William Hill Chardonnay also are sourced from the foggy vineyards of Los Carneros and the Oak Knoll. In California, the Mediterranean climate showers the vines with warmth, whereas combinations of warm and cool influences from the Atlantic Ocean and fog favor make it the perfect grape-growing region.
California is the largest and most important region of the American winemaking industry. It hosts the world’s largest wine companies and several boutique wineries as well. To put it into context, California produces almost ninety percent of American-made wine and supplies more than sixty percent of all wine consumed in the country. And contrary to wines produced in different parts of the world, California wines preserve their fruit-forward nature.
How to Serve William Hill Chardonnay?
William Hill Chardonnay is served chilled at 50 degrees Fahrenheit (ten degrees Celsius) and in standard white wine glasses. The large surface of the glasses provides the wine with essential aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the wine’s fragrances elevate while the flavors deepen, increasing in concentration.
Consumers need to chill William Hill Chardonnay. To do that, place the bottle 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. However, remember that over-chilling can conceal the flavors in wines, making them taste thin.
How Much Does William Hill Chardonnay Cost?
For a barrel-fermented white wine, William Hill Chardonnay has an approachable retail price. So, consumers can purchase it without significant cost-considerations. That said, William Hill Chardonnay price ranges from $22 to $70 per 750ml bottle. Keep in mind that the $70 price tag is extremely rare and relates only to the most superior vintages. Wine enthusiasts should go ahead and buy this wine with confidence. I mean, William Hill Chardonnay comes together in a harmoniously rich and expressive style and even facilitates an artistic personality. Who in their right minds would turn their back to this superb wine?
How Long Does William Hill Chardonnay Last?
Chardonnays are suitable for bottle aging, unlike most white wines. They usually have a high alcohol concentration and enough structure to withstand maturation. After successfully maturing, they should have developed aromas and flavors of almond, hazelnut, dried apricot, and marmalade. Genuinely, therefore, I believe that William Hill Chardonnay can undergo maturation successfully as it has also been through barrel-fermentation and oak aging before bottling. That makes it ideal for long-term storage.
The wine should be sealed with a cork and stored in an environment with room temperatures that do not fluctuate (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 to 15 degrees Celsius). Direct sunlight or artificial light is better avoided as they may damage the wine. Odors also have to be kept at bay, as they might find their way inside the bottle and give unpleasant aromas and flavors, like animal sweat and vinegar.
How Many Calories Does William Hill Chardonnay Have?
Despite being a medium-to-full-bodied white wine, with a creamy texture, William Hill Chardonnay is a suitable dietary choice. There are about 25 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 125 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 10 grams of sodium, 4 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and 1 gram of total sugars. Consequently, wine fans can consume it on a daily basis. And from the moment that William Hill Chardonnay calories are low, wine fans on a diet can feel safe when enjoying it. As a barrel-fermented wine, William Hill Chardonnay alcohol content is high at 13, 9% per 750ml bottle.
Conclusion
Do you know why William Hill Chardonnay is so great? Because it maintains all of the structural characteristics of rich Napa Valley Chardonnays: Creamy but not overwhelming, fresh fruit aromas, brioche bread flavors, baking spice overtones, zippy acidity, and savory finish. It is so perfectly balanced, like a piece of fine art. Complex and dynamic, William Hill Chardonnay does not disappoint. Buy a bottle with confidence now!
