Nose
On the nose, Asian pear, orange blossom, white florals and a cutting, steely minerality.
Palate
The palate is fresh and alive with flavors of lime zest, golden apple, flint, and sea salt. The creamy mid-palate is focused by laser-like tension and vibrant acidity throughout an enduring finish.
Growing Conditions
Relative to the preceding three years, the 2016 growing season was notably cooler, with lower than average daytime highs and colder nights. Though harvest commenced a week earlier than typical, the weather remained stable throughout the ripening phase with no significant heat spikes. The result was balanced fruit of optimal quality and a short harvest period, concluding within a two to three-week timeline. The 2016 Chardonnay from the Ellen Lane Estate shows the emblematic refinement, brilliant restraint, yet thrilling focus of the fruit from this site. Clonal selection: Hyde Wente, Hudson Wente.
Harvest
Hand-harvested at night, sheers only
Bottling
Bottled unfined and unfiltered; January, 2018.
Winemaking
Whole cluster pressed while still cold from the field Barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts; 6 months to completion Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel
Aging
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 56% new; Sur lie aging, biweekly bâtonnage. Coopers: Damy, Francois Frères, Louis Latour
Appearance
White gold in the glass
Food Pairing
Irresistible with a simple shaving of jamón, delicate poached salmon, or creamy Vacherin Mont d’Or. Serve at 45°-50° F.