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1996

Chardonnay

Kunde Vineyard,
Sonoma Valley

Ripe apple, honey, and hints of citrus fruit are interlaced with vanilla and toast from aging in small French oak barrels giving the wine outstanding depth and richness. The malolactic fermentation was carefully managed to add creaminess and roundness without introducing ponderous buttery notes. Vibrant fruit flavors fan broadly on the finish and continue to crescendo across the very long palate with elegance and finesse. Enjoy as an aperitif or as a complement to your favorite dishes.

 

Harvest Date September 2

Growing Season Excellent weather conditions throughout the growing season; mild early autumn temperatures, no precipitation at harvest.

Winemaking

• Hand-harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct-to-press
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeast, 2 to 4 months to completion
• Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation
• Barrel aged 10 months, 40% new French oak, sur-lies and stirred
• Unblended, unfined, unfiltered; bottled August 1997