Nose
Our 2016 Reserve Selection Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with
delightfully fragrant aromas tropical notes of mango that are accentuated by
aromatic notes of toasted almonds and brioche.
Palate
This beautifully balanced
wine coats the palate with honeydew melon minerality and crème brulée
texture on the palate.
Growing Conditions
The grapes for the Napa Valley Chardonnay come almost entirely from our
estate vineyards in Jameson Canyon. The estate vineyards are planted on
rolling hills at the southern end of Napa Valley. The growing conditions in
the Jameson Canyon are very similar to Carneros, the neighboring appellation
just west of the Napa River. Winds flow through Jameson Canyon, carrying
in the cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean and providing a long,
cool growing season that enhances the intensity of the Chardonnay flavors.
There is a small amount of grapes from Carneros to add more roundness and
richness to the mid palate.
A cooler season overall, the 2016 growing season did see an early bud break
in Napa Valley. July and August did not see the usual high heat and resulted
in a longer hang time for the grapes that ripened uniformly and with a great
flavors. Overall quality is high even though yields are a bit lower than usual.
Winemakers and vineyard crews worked diligently to pick and sort the best
berries. Harvest began on September 10th and conluded by October 5th. The
2016 will be remembered as a near perfect growing season in the Napa
Valley.
Winemaking
Using no malolactic fermentation, moderate oak influence, and sur-lie aging,
our Napa Valley Chardonnay is made in a style that focuses on the inherent
qualities of this varietal.
Aging
The wine was aged sur lie (on the yeast lees) for 11
months, with periodic lees stirring, in 100% French oak barrels (25% new
French oak) from coopers Leroi, Francois Frères, Seguin Moreau and Saury.
Stirring the lees adds creaminess to the wine’s mid-palate.
