In the words of Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak, this smooth, buttery Chardonnay-handcrafted from a small lot of select grapes grown and harvested in our own vineyards-represents her team's passion for perseverance in creating fine wines. Medium-bodied and golden in color, this Chardonnay has been aged about 12 months in the first-ever barrels coopered exclusively for us from Biltmore-grown oak. The nose delights with scents of caramel, coffee, and grilled pineapple, plus pleasant hints of oak that continue on the palate along with flavors of Meyer lemon, vanilla, and kiwi ahead of a lingering finish of honey and spice.

To further enhance the rich notes of this exceptional Chardonnay, warm it slightly to around 60 degrees, then gather friends together to savor a glass with a grazing platter featuring blue cheese drizzled with local honey, pistachios, and smoked trout dip. Other excellent pairings include seafood cioppino, Caribbean-style red snapper, and mussels with a butter-and-garlic sauce and toasted baguettes for dipping. The label-an original watercolor rendering of an iconic oak tree in the estate's vineyard-is a tribute to North Carolina grape growing and a distinctive wine that earned our exclusive Biltmore® Reserve Barrel Select designation.