Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay
Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay is a 14.5% ABV, 750mL California Chardonnay built a step above the winery's famous Vintner's Reserve — 100% estate-grown fruit, entirely barrel-fermented in French oak and aged sur lie with the lees stirred twice a month for a creamy mouthfeel over bright minerality. For the 2017 vintage named in this listing's history, the fruit came from Santa Barbara County, whose calcareous soils in the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valleys are what Winemaster Randy Ullom credits for the wine's mineral line. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 14.5% (2017 vintage, per VinePair/Costco Wine Blog review records)
- Size: 750mL
- Grape: 100% Chardonnay, 100% estate-grown
- Sourcing: Santa Barbara County (2017 vintage)
- Winemaking: 100% barrel-fermented in French oak, aged sur lie, lees stirred twice monthly
- Tier: Grand Reserve — the winery's reserve-level bottling
A Step Up From the Famous One
Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve is the best-known Chardonnay in America; Grand Reserve is what the winery makes when it keeps its best estate lots for itself, fermenting every barrel in French oak and stirring the lees twice a month — boutique treatment at a scale few wineries attempt. Ullom's standing description of the wine is lush tropical fruit with a mineral spine from calcareous soils, floral notes from small amounts of Dijon and Rued clones, and vanilla and spice on a rich, long finish. Compare it with the Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, see the house on the Kendall-Jackson vendor page, or browse more white wine.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Grainy oak, buttered toast, sea salt, pan-seared apple and white flowers (Wine Enthusiast, on the 2017). Palate: Viscous and rich — roasted apple and buttered toast with a spray of tangerine, the sur lie creaminess over Santa Barbara acidity. Finish: Long, vanilla and spice over fruit.
How to Enjoy
Serve well chilled, around 50°F. The winery's own pairing line for Grand Reserve is crab cakes — scallops and plank-grilled salmon are the other house suggestions, and all three suit the wine's weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Grand Reserve and Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay? Grand Reserve is the higher tier: estate-grown fruit, 100% French oak barrel fermentation and sur lie aging with twice-monthly lees stirring, versus the Vintner's Reserve's broader blend and lighter oak program.
Where does Grand Reserve Chardonnay come from? It is estate-grown California fruit; the 2017 vintage was Santa Barbara County, while some other vintages also draw on Monterey County — which is why the vintage on the bottle matters for this wine.
Is Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay rich and creamy? Yes — full barrel fermentation and months on the lees, stirred twice monthly, give it a creamy, viscous texture, balanced by coastal acidity and a mineral finish.
Reserve-level California Chardonnay — order Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.