Nose
Ripe lemon, apple, ripe pineapple and graham cracker crust aromas mixed with toasted elements.
Palate
The palate is full and rich with lemon curd, ripe pineapple and buttered toast on entry. The mid palate shows mineral notes and textures with subtle oak that continue through the finish which is long, crisp and balanced with sustained ripe fruit.
Growing Conditions
For 2015, the Damaris Reserve Chardonnay is sourced entirely from the Flocchini Vineyard located on the eastern side of the Petaluma Wind Gap, a region that experiences extremely cool, but long growing seasons, allowing the Chardonnay fruit to maintain balance and acidity while developing fully mature flavor potential. The blocks used for this wine are comprised of Robert Young and Old Wente clones, traditional California clonal selections both known for their ability to produce fruit of outstanding character.
Bottling
It was bottled without filtration February 2016.
Winemaking
The fruit is gently whole cluster pressed, and after settling the juice is put into barrel to undergo a native yeast fermentation. The wine was allowed full malolactic fermentation
Aging
Aged sur-lie in 35% New French oak for 14 months with battonage (lees stirring) every two weeks to add roundness to the texture as well as weight and complexity
Appearance
Medium intensity lemon yellow day bright with moderate tearing in the glass.
Food Pairing
The ripe citrus and toasted elements in this wine make it a great pairing to rotisserie chicken with herbs and lemon or with fettucine alfredo finished with lemon zest.
