Nose
The fruit expresses citrus with lemon lime and mandarin notes, plus green banana, green apple and white peach.
Palate
The barrel fermentation coupled with aging sur lie added viscosity, creaminess and depth. The oak is well-integrated in a nice balance that adds a hint of vanilla, nutmeg, toast and an angel food cake nuance. A pleasant minerality adds to the overall complexity. With a nice long finish, the overall flavor is reminiscent of white peach or stone fruits, with well-balanced acidity.
Growing Conditions
The winter was one of the driest on record, although we did receive 75% of normal precipitation. The relatively dry, warm winter promoted early bud break and a cool spring supported a long flowering period. The balance of the season was moderate to warm. The crop was very light, with small clusters of small concentrated berries, and the fruit ripened about two weeks early in most cases.
Appearance
Brilliant greenish straw color, this elegant Chardonnay exemplifies the terroir of the Keyes vineyard.
