2005 Chardonnay, Carneros

BLEND
100% Chardonnay

VINEYARDS
Merryvale Estate (Stanly Ranch), Hyde Vineyard

APPELLATION
Carneros, Napa Valley

WINEMAKING

• Triple sorted, whole-cluster pressed
• 100% barrel fermented
• 100% natural yeast
• 100% malolactic fermentation
• Bottled unfiltered

BARREL AGING
15 months in 100% French Oak barrels

ALCOHOL
14.5% by volume

RELEASE DATE
August, 2007

BOTTLING DATE
July, 2007

PRODUCTION
3,000 cases

CELLARING
Three years from release to reach maturity, with a plateau for another five years after that.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Formerly called ‘Reserve’, this debut release from our new Signature Merryvale Tier features a new winemaking team, upgraded facilities, our continued commitment to sustainable farming and an elegant new look. These wines express our passion for turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world class wine.

The grapes for our signature Chardonnay are carefully sorted, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented. The wine spends 15 months in French Oak, with the first seven months on primary lees, stirred monthly until blending and ten additional months on light lees, unstirred.

The 2005 harvest was one of great extremes. A very wet spring provided a lot of potential for a big harvest of very juicy fruit. A fantastic Indian summer resulted in long hang times which allowed the grapes to mature at a leisurely pace giving us outstanding character. The result at harvest was thick skins and great flavors at moderate alcohol.

This Chardonnay expresses notes of peach, tropical fruits, including papaya and mango, along with baked apple and baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg and Cardamom). The wine is rich and dense in the mid palate with a long elegant finish. Enjoy this wine with roasted chicken, pasta with a cream sauce or lobster.