{"title":"Butternut","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"butternut-chardonnay","title":"Butternut Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eButternut Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% varietal California Chardonnay aged in new French oak barrels, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 91 points by Tasting Panel and earning consecutive 88-point scores from Wine Enthusiast (2021 and 2022 vintages), this bottling has built a loyal following among drinkers who want full-bodied, oak-forward white wine without a premium price tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Oaked Chardonnay  |  Producer: Miller Family Wine Company\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eButternut is produced by Miller Family Wine Company, which sources fruit from several of California's most respected growing regions — Napa, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills, and Monterey — to build complexity across multiple terroirs. The wine is fermented and aged in 100% new French oak barrels, an unusually generous cooperage program for a wine at this price tier; many comparable bottles rely on a mix of new and neutral oak or less expensive American barrels. The result is a pronounced richness and toasty character that defines the Butternut house style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Delicious apple and fresh apricot greet the nose first, followed by butterscotch, allspice, and a thread of Tahitian vanilla. A subtle matchstick-flint quality adds a savory counterpoint beneath the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is smooth and creamy, with ripe pear and lemon flowing into a broad mid-palate of tropical guava and candied citrus. Oak spice lifts the center, while a buttery, almost coconut-like richness fills out the texture. The wine drinks full-bodied with noticeable weight, though a streak of acidity keeps the fruit from turning cloying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and dry, with lingering toasted bread, butterscotch, and a subtle nuttiness. The vanilla and oak taper gradually, leaving a warm, satisfying close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Butternut Chardonnay\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe lightly chilled — around 50–55°F — to let the oak and fruit aromatics open fully without muting the acidity. A standard white wine glass with a wider bowl will concentrate the buttery nose. For cocktails, Butternut's creamy body and vanilla notes work well in a \u003cstrong\u003eWhite Wine Spritzer\u003c\/strong\u003e, where a splash of soda water brightens the richness; a \u003cstrong\u003eFrench 75 variation\u003c\/strong\u003e substituting Chardonnay for Champagne, pairing its oak sweetness against lemon and gin; or a \u003cstrong\u003eSangria Blanca\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the tropical fruit character amplifies peach and citrus additions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight dinners featuring roasted chicken or cream-sauced pasta\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing friends to oaked California Chardonnay without a steep investment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHosting casual outdoor gatherings or summer cookouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a side-by-side tasting of buttery California Chardonnays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Butternut Chardonnay taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Butternut Chardonnay is a full-bodied, oak-forward white wine dominated by buttery vanilla, ripe pear, tropical fruit, and toasted bread. It finishes dry with lingering butterscotch and a creamy, smooth texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Butternut Chardonnay compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are popular oaked California Chardonnays in the same approximate price range, but Butternut uses 100% new French oak, which delivers a more pronounced vanilla and toasty character. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve tends toward brighter tropical fruit with slightly less oak intensity, often appealing to drinkers who prefer a fruit-forward balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Butternut Chardonnay good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its creamy texture, generous oak, and layered fruit make it enjoyable as a standalone pour, especially when served lightly chilled in a wide-bowled glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Butternut Chardonnay made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Butternut Chardonnay is produced in California by Miller Family Wine Company, using grapes sourced from Napa, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills, and Monterey to achieve a multi-regional blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Butternut Chardonnay?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted or rotisserie chicken benefits from the wine's buttery weight; lobster or crab with drawn butter echoes its rich texture; fettuccine Alfredo mirrors the creamy palate; aged Gruyère or mild Brie complement the toasty oak; and corn chowder picks up on the wine's subtle sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Butternut Chardonnay come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Butternut Chardonnay is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Butternut Chardonnay worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Butternut positions as an accessible, everyday California Chardonnay that punches above its weight thanks to 100% new French oak aging — a production detail rarely found at this value tier, which helps explain its consistent critical scores in the high-80s to low-90s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Butternut Chardonnay?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining advantage here is straightforward: 100% new French oak aging at a price point where most producers cut corners with neutral barrels or American oak alternatives. That single production choice gives Butternut a richness and vanilla depth that reads as far more expensive in a blind tasting. Multiple vintages have earned 88 points from Wine Enthusiast, while Tasting Panel rated it at 91 points — consistent critical approval that signals reliable quality year over year. For anyone who wants an unapologetically buttery, full-bodied California Chardonnay without committing to a Napa single-vineyard price, this is one of the most credible options in the category.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Butternut","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837743165609,"sku":"31092","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Butternut-Chardonnay__17581.jpg?v=1730492905"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/butternut.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}