05 Aug Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Charles Krug 2025 Limited Release Napa Valley Chenin Blanc

When people think of Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon is almost always the first wine that comes to mind. But long before Cabernet dominated the landscape, Chenin Blanc dominated as the valley’s most widely planted white grape. As someone who loves Chenin Blanc for its beautiful texture and vibrant acidity, I was excited to taste the Charles Krug 2025 Limited Release Chenin Blanc. Not only is it a delicious wine, but it also revives an important chapter in Napa Valley’s winemaking heritage, making it the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug Winery, established in 1861 by Prussian immigrant Charles Krug, is Napa Valley’s oldest operating winery. Today, under the stewardship of the Mondavi family, the winery continues to honor its legacy while embracing innovation. Leading that effort is Angelina Mondavi, the fourth generation of the Mondavi family and the first female Mondavi to serve as head winemaker at Charles Krug.

While Napa Valley is now synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc was once the valley’s most widely planted white grape. In 1955, Charles Krug made history by bottling California’s first varietally labeled Chenin Blanc. That same year, the wine earned Best White Wine at the California State Fair, helping establish Chenin Blanc as one of California’s premier white wines. Sadly, after peaking in the late 1960s, it was largely uprooted in favor of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Today, only a handful of old-vine plantings remain in Napa Valley.

As head of this historic winery, one of Angelina’s projects has been bringing Chenin Blanc back to Charles Krug. Using vines from her grandfather Peter Mondavi Sr.’s original Chenin Blanc rootstock, she released the inaugural vintage in 2024, reintroducing a wine that once played such an important role in both the winery’s and Napa Valley’s history.

Tasting Notes

The Charles Krug 2025 Limited Release Chenin Blanc is only the second vintage of this estate-grown wine and the first release crafted by Angelina Mondavi. Sourced exclusively from the winery’s prized vineyard in Yountville, the wine is a blend of two carefully selected Chenin Blanc clones. To preserve freshness while building texture, the grapes were pressed into a combination of cement eggs, stainless steel barrels, and small stainless tanks. The result is a wine that balances vibrant acidity with remarkable depth and elegance.

The wine opens with expressive aromas of lemongrass, pear, melon, and delicate white flowers. On the palate, bright citrus flavors are complemented by crisp minerality and vibrant acidity. In addition to the vibrant acidity, the wine has a beautifully rounded texture that carries through to a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairing

One of the things I love most about Chenin Blanc is how versatile it is with food. I paired this wine with a Chinese chicken salad featuring a ginger dressing, and the combination was effortless. The wine’s refreshing acidity, beautiful texture, and long mineral finish made every bite and sip more enjoyable.

Where To Purchase

The Charles Krug 2025 Limited Release Napa Valley Chenin Blanc retails for $60 and is available on the Charles Krug website. More than just a delicious wine, it is a revival of an important part of Napa Valley’s winemaking heritage. Whether you’re already a fan of Chenin Blanc or looking to discover what makes this historic grape so special, this is a bottle worth seeking out. But don’t wait—this limited release won’t be around for long.