Palate
We hold some of our best barrels from the previous vintage to make this Chardonnay. These barrels are 100% new French oak and each one underwent a natural fermentation. The barrels were lees stirred once-a-month for 20 months. This extended time in barrel gives the wine time to develop complexity and integration.
Growing Conditions
The 2016 vintage experienced the best of both worlds with a hot spring and early summer, but also a cool fall season.
Cooler temperatures in August and September, slowed down ripening and resulted in longer hang time for the grapes and the longest harvest on record in Washington state (August 15- November 15).
Overall, 2016 saw very favorable growing conditions, producing wines with ripeness and elegance.
Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.
Warm, sunny days and cool evenings create ideal conditions for aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.
A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the region’s ability to ripen fruit.
Winemaking
Ripe grapes were destemmed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
Aged sur lie for 20 months to integrate the fruit and oak flavors that provide a rich mouthfeel.
100% malolactic fermented for softness, balance and depth.
Aging
Aged in 100% new French oak barrels.
