Nose
This chardonnay’s distinctive aromas of chamomile, mandarin, gun powder,
juniper berry and Asian pear are the prelude to a broad, layered and integrated wine.
Growing Conditions
2014 was the third straight outstanding growing season in a row, following the
excellent 2012 and 2013 vintages. Dry winter and spring conditions limited canopy vigor, and a
warm growing season with a lack of extreme heat spikes resulted in prolonged, even ripening
through harvest. The resulting wines possess great site specificity, depth and quality.
Harvest
Hand-harvested, picked at night.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2016.
Winemaking
Whole cluster pressed while still cold from the field
Barrel-fermented, indigenous yeasts, 7 months to completion
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation
Aging
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Aged sur lies with biweekly bâtonnage.
Coopers: Cadus, Damy, Louis Latour, Francois Frères
Appearance
Opalescent
golden straw in hue.