Palate
Six barrels were hand selected for their superior flavor and complexity to make our Reserve Chardonnay. Aged for 18 months, this wine entices the senses with candied pear, lychee, orange blossom, and hints of vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich and voluminous yet still perfectly balanced alongside a refreshing acidity. With great depth, this wine lingers on the palate, complex yet harmonious.
Growing Conditions
The year began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild Spring resulting in extended flowering with little shatter. A Labor Day weekend heatwave kicked harvest into high gear, then cool weather allowed sugar levels to return to normal. By October 8 nearly 90 percent of the 2017 grape tonnage was in when warm, fierce winds fueled an unprecedented firestorm. Napa Valley's winemakers remain committed to upholding the region's reputation for making some of the world's finest wines and early articles about the 2017 vintage describe the wines with words such as "finesse," "great complexity of flavor" and "elegant."
