Nose
The fruit has expression of 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 and depth to this wine. The oak is well integrated in a very nice balance that adds a hint of vanilla, nutmeg, toast and an angel food nuance. There is a pleasant bottle bouquet and coupled with an intriguing minerality, adds to the overall complexity. With a very pleasant fruitful flavor similar to white peach or stone fruits, the acidity is well balance with great length in the finish.
Growing Conditions
Following 2012, we had another “near perfect vintage”. A warm, dry winter and spring brought early bud break. The dry weather helped lower canopy vigor and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set under sunny skies. With one heat spike in late June, early July, the growing temperatures were near ideal for vine growth and ripening. The season as a hole, was a good two weeks early on the average and really quite dry. There were two rain storms in mid-September that didn’t amount to any consequence, as most of the thin skinned varieties came in early. In fact, we were quite pleased to have even ripening while finishing our chardonnay fruit in September.
Appearance
Brilliant yellow straw color with greenish hues, this vibrant chardonnay exemplifies the terroir of the Keyes vineyard.
