Nose
The fruit expresses citrus with lemon-lime and mandarin notes, plus green banana, green apple, ripe pear and white peach.
Palate
The barrel fermentation coupled with aging sur lie, added viscosity and depth to this wine. The oak is well-integrated and adds a hint of vanilla, nutmeg, toast and an angel food cake nuance. There is a pleasant bottle bouquet which, coupled with an intriguing minerality, adds to the overall complexity. With a pleasant fruitful flavor similar to white peach or stone fruits, the acidity is well balanced with great length in the finish.
Growing Conditions
The winter was one of the driest on record for the Napa Valley. When we did get rain however, it came right at the time the vines need it the most, promoting bud break and new shoot growth. The balance of the season was moderate to warm. The crop was abundant and the fruit ripened about two weeks early in most cases. We were thankful for a wonderful harvest yielding great wines with immense depth of flavor.
Harvest
September 14 at 25.2° Brix.
Winemaking
100 % barrel-fermented, aged sur-lie; no Malo-lactic fermentation.
Aging
Cooperage: World Cooperage, DamyAging: 88.7% barrel agedBarrels: French, 32% new oakAged in Barrel: 5 months collectively
Appearance
Brilliant yellow straw color with greenish hues, this vibrant chardonnay exemplifies the terroir of the Keyes vineyard.
