2008 Chardonnay Reserve

A pale straw color introduces opulent aromas of Golden Delicious apples, crème brulee, Cavaillon melon and toasted hazelnuts. The expansive fruit flavors and luxurious texture are balanced by refreshing acidity that persists into the long, elegant finish. This is a wine that rewards the patient with beautiful evolution in the glass.

Appellation:

Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes:

Our fruit was hand-harvested into small bins in the cool morning hours and immediately whole-cluster pressed at our winery to capture fruit freshness and the natural balance of the grapes. We fermented 100% of the wine in Burgundian oak barrels (42% new French oak), using several yeast strains and allowing a small portion to ferment with wild yeast. During partial malolactic fermentation and throughout barrel aging, we gently stirred the wine (batonnage) to develop complex flavors and rich, creamy texture. The wine was aged on the yeast lees (sur lie) for 10 months to weave creamy nuances through the bright fruit character. The wine was bottled November of 2009.