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Rich, vibrant, creamy and expressive, this well-balanced, luscious Chardonnay is classically Californian with aromas of citrus blossom, lemon curd, honeysuckle and crème brûlée, supported by flavors of tropical fruits, like pineapple, mango and tangerine.
A delicate touch of well-integrated oak shows notes of brioche and apple pie spice, leading to a pleasing, mouth-watering lengthy finish.
Gamble Ranch, Beringer’s northernmost Chardonnay vineyard, has been the primary source for Private Reserve for decades. Located in the Oakville AVA, daytime temperatures here slowly rise as the cooling morning fog recedes south. This pronounced diurnal shift helps the grapes retain their natural acidity, an essential counterpoint to the rich, ripe flavors that develop during warmer afternoons. Older vines, planted in 1976, provide the foundation for the wine’s depth and concentration. Three percent of the blend was sourced from Big Ranch Vineyard in Oak Knoll, where fruit tends to hold slightly more acidity and delicate minerality, shaped by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. The inclusion of select Burgundy clones further enhances the wine’s nuance, lending an added layer of elegance and weight.
Each Chardonnay lot is kept separate throughout the aging process for this flagship wine. After sending the fruit directly to press, the juice is fermented in 100 % French oak barrels for eight months to enhance the natural richness in the wine. Weekly lees stirring enhanced the toasty notes and integrated the oak flavors for an overall balance. The wine is barrel fermented, and all the wine was put through malolactic fermentation to encourage a lush creaminess. After aging, the most expressive lots are chosen and blended to create a richly layered wine with aromas of crème brûlée and rich citrus and fruit flavors.
French oak (50% new)
