Nose
This Chardonnay opens with welcoming aromas of toasted
marshmallow, allspice, jasmine, and sandalwood.
Palate
On the palate,
there is a hint of fresh minerality accompanied by notes of
apricot, summer melons, nectarine, and lychee nut. The finish is
long and harmonious.
Growing Conditions
The grapes for this Napa Valley Chardonnay come from our
estate vineyards in Jameson Canyon and select Napa Valley
growers on Atlas Peak. The growing conditions on the hilly
vineyards of both locations are very similar to Carneros. 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.
"Classic" and "perfect" are just two accolades being bestowed
upon the 2012 Napa Valley growing season and harvest.
Textbook conditions saw near-ideal spring bud break, steady
flowering, even fruit set, and a lengthy stretch of warm days and
cool and often foggy nights during the long summer months.
Late and light rains held off until Napa Valley's treasured wine
grapes found optimal ripeness, bringing exceptional quality to
the crush pad and into the cellar.
Winemaking
Using no malolactic fermentation, 85% new French oak and 8
months of sur-lie aging, our Napa Valley Chardonnay is made
in a style that focuses on the inherent qualities of this varietal. A
mix of specialized Old Wente, musque, and Dijon clones, this
wine was whole cluster pressed and fermented in French oak
barrels with 2/3 under native fermentation.
Aging
8 months, 100% French oak (85% new)
