Frank Family 2024 Chardonnay Carneros

The 2024 Frank Family Chardonnay from Carneros is a beautifully balanced and expressive wine that showcases vibrant coastal fruit, creamy texture, and refined oak integration. Elegant yet ample, it delivers a compelling mix of freshness, depth, and richness—making it a standout California Chardonnay with both immediate appeal and thoughtful complexity.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced by Frank Family Vineyards, this Chardonnay hails from the acclaimed Carneros AVA, a cool-climate enclave straddling Napa and Sonoma. Influenced by persistent morning fog and cooling breezes from San Pablo Bay, the vineyards here ripen fruit slowly, preserving natural acidity and aromatic detail.

For the 2024 vintage, fruit was harvested at ideal phenolic maturity and gently whole-cluster pressed to preserve purity. The wine underwent fermentation primarily in French oak barrels—with a significant proportion of new oak carefully selected to enhance structure and spice nuance—alongside neutral wood to maintain freshness. Lees aging and periodic stirring (bâtonnage) contributed to a creamy mid-palate texture without overwhelming the wine’s inherent brightness. This disciplined approach underscores Frank Family’s signature style: generous fruit framed by harmonious weight and acidity.

Critics Reviews
Wine Enthusiastawards the 2024 Frank Family Chardonnay 93 points, noting its “lively citrus and orchard fruit core wrapped in subtle toast and vanilla spice, supported by a brisk, lingering finish.” The review emphasizes the wine’s balance of richness and freshness.

James Suckling scores this release 94 points, highlighting “crisp green apple, lemon curd, and white peach aromas,” and describing the palate as “silky and layered with fine oak texture and persistent acidity.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gives the wine 92+ points, praising its “complex interplay of creaminess and minerality,” and noting that “the wine’s structural finesse sets it apart in a strong Carneros vintage.”

Critics consistently commend the 2024 Chardonnay for its refined balance, vibrant fruit expression, and sophisticated oak integration.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bright and inviting, with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, white peach, and a hint of honeysuckle, underscored by subtle toasted oak and vanilla spice.

Palate:
Medium-to-full bodied and impeccably balanced, the palate reveals concentrated citrus and orchard fruit layered with creamy lees texture and gentle oak spice. A fine mineral thread and lingering acidity provide poise and energy.

Finish:
Clean, lingering, and refreshing, with persistent citrus peel, orchard fruit, and a touch of toasted almond that gracefully fade.

Quick Overview