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1998 J Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
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The Vineyard
100% Chardonnay from a marriage of two vineyards in the Russian River
Valley: a bit of elegance from Nick & Nonny's Vineyard and bright
floral flavors from our River Road Vineyard.
Processing
Selected grape clusters were hand harvested into thirty-five pound lugs
and were then hand-loaded, whole cluster, into our Coquard press for a
gentle pressing cycle.
Fermentation
Thirty-three percent of the juice fermented in French Oak barrels and
the remaining sixty-seven percent in American Stainless Steel tanks.
Malolactic conversion carried by Oenoccocus Oeni on the barrel fermented
portion only. Lees stirring (Batonage) was performed for three months
on the barrels using a BoswellTM
stainless steel wand.
Ageing
Wine lots were pre-blended in the Summer of 1999. Final lots were blended
and filtered in late November 1999. The wine aged for an additional ten
months post-bottling.
Tasting Notes
Pale blonde color. Aromas of fresh sliced figs, citrus and floral notes
interlaced with vanilla and cinnamon. Just a hint of oak and smoke.
Multi-layered flavors of honey, light butterscotch, ripe pear, Meyer
lemon and grapefruit peel. Texture is smooth and sensual, medium bodied
with a dusting of cinnamon on a light lingering citrus finish.
This wine is definitely designed to pair with food; we suggest vichyssoise,
steamed clams, mussels, scallops or Ahi tuna with a mango cilantro salsa.
We encourage you to experiment and above all else enjoy!
Harvest: September 11 - October 8, 1998
Harvest Analysis: Average Brix 23.7°
Final Analysis: Alcohol 13.57% by volume
Bottling Date: December 13, 1999
1,700 cases bottled
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