Nose
The warm
2013 vintage has delivered alluring orange spice and tropical flower notes
that accentuate its depth and richness.
Palate
This wine displays the poise, structure and minerality that
have become hallmarks of our Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay. On the silky palate, layers of zesty citrus
mingle with chamomile, hibiscus and honeysuckle, as well as hints of toasty
nutmeg and cinnamon spice, resulting in a wine that effortlessly combines power
and grace.
Growing Conditions
Prior to a big cool down in the last several weeks of the
growing season, 2013 was on track to be one of the hottest growing seasons in
memory. Plenty of sunshine, and a lack of any significant rain events, allowed us
complete control over irrigation, which in turn enabled us to fine tune crop size
and fruit development.
Harvest
Our 1989 block of chardonnay was picked at 23.0º Brix on
September 17th, with our clone #95 grapes arriving on September 26th at 21.8º.
Winemaking
To preserve this wine’s natural acidity and balance, as well as its
more delicate aromas, it was 100% whole-cluster pressed. 60% was fermented
in predominantly mature Burgundy barrels, with a total new French oak
component of just 8% (one barrel), and the remainder fermented in concrete. To
further maintain its bright, fresh character, only 50% of the wine went through
malolactic fermentation. In keeping with our gentle winemaking approach, and a
belief in preserving nuance and complexity, this wine was not cold stabilized.
