1996 Chardonnay, Carneros
Vintage
1996
Price
$18
Release Date
April 1998
Appellation
Carneros
Availability
Select Markets Nationally
Vineyards
- Dry Creek - Black Vineyards
- Russian River - Syar
- Napa Valley - Yountmill
- Carneros - Leveroni, Bryton, Vin Del Sol, Ricci, Sandbach and Yamakawa, Sangiaco
- (El Novillero, Home, Palmer, Tall Grass, Pear Block, Apple Patch, Corn Patch and
Grapes
100% Chardonnay
Vintage
Despite a wait for acid levels to drop, harvest began 10 days early. It finished on time on October 20 with Carneros yields down 15-20%. Resultant wines have riper than normal flavors with a good acid balance.
Vinification
Grapes from the 18 ranches, from five to twenty-seven year old vines, were culled at harvest and each lot was individually cold (53° Fahrenheit) barrel-fermented for about five weeks prior to aging on the lees for eight months in 85% American and 15% French Oak. 50% underwent spontaneous mmalolactic fermentation. The wines were blended and bottled in August 1997. Alcohol: 13.8% Total Acidity: .58 pH: 3.48 residual sugar: .08 44,040 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
Pineapple sweet citrus with forward vanilla and toasted oak aromas. Smooth, silky texture with apple, pineapple, butter and vanilla flavors. Nice, long finish of spicy apple flavors.