2011 Chardonnay, Carneros

BLEND
100% Chardonnay

VINEYARDS
Merryvale Stanly Ranch Estate, Hyde Vineyard

APPELLATION
Carneros

WINEMAKING

• Hand sorted, whole-cluster pressed
• 100% barrel fermented, with native yeast and native malolactic fermentation

BARREL AGING
Barrel fermented and aged 9 ½ months in French oak (52% new)

ALCOHOL
14.3% by volume

CELLARING
5-10 years from vintage date with proper storage conditions

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Winemaking
The fruit in this Chardonnay was grown primarily on our Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard in Carneros, with some select lots from the renowned Hyde Vineyard blended in. The grapes were carefully sorted, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented using 100% native yeast. The wine spent 9 ½ months in 52% new French oak barrels.

Vintage
2011 was a historically challenging year for Bordeaux red varietals in the Napa Valley, but it was a different story down south in Carneros. Our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir had already gone through bloom when the June rains hit, and were off the vine before the October rain. The moderate temperatures throughout the growing season led to great natural acidity and wines with terrific balance and complexity.

Color: vibrant gold

Aromas: mineral/wet stone, tangerine, orange blossom, mango, papaya, fresh pineapple, baked apple and pear, vanilla

Palate: bright, focused entry, round fleshy mid-palate, great fruit concentration with tropical and hazelnut notes, lively acidity, refreshing lengthy finish