2016 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Wine Specs
Vintage
2016
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Harvest Date
September 22, 2016
Acid
0.53 g/mL
pH
3.65
Aging
40% new Leroi French oak, 60% 1 & 2-year French oak
Bottling Date
March 2, 2017
Alcohol %
14.7
Robert Parker
90
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The color is bright, clear, medium-gold. The nose is fragrant with lemon curd, stone fruits, apples and flint nuances. The medium to full body has a creamy texture and bright acidity to support ripe fruit flavors of Golden Delicious apples, candied lemon peel and crème brulée. The lingering finish echoes the flavors, ending with bright citrus, brioche and toasted hazelnut notes. This Chardonnay is to enjoy now.
James Suckling score: 92 points
Vineyard Notes
The 2016 harvest in Alexander Valley came early with heat building in August and early September. We opted to leave our Chardonnay on the vine until we had the richness of flavors we were seeking in our grapes. Generous rains early in the year, a warm spring and a mostly mild summer, brought our expected short crop into an average-size vintage offering exceptional fruit flavors and complexity. The 2016 Chardonnay was barrel fermented, with some minimal lees stirring to create richness and complexity. Only a partial secondary malolactic fermentation was allowed to preserve the crisp acidity freshness. The intent was to make a rich yet understated Chardonnay that reflects the clonal selection (70% Robert Young + 30% Clone 4), soils (clay loam), and region (Alexander Valley).
Blend
100% Chardonnay
