International Chardonnay Day 4-Pack

Chardonnay | Signature Selection v. 2018 SONOMA COUNTY, DRY CREEK VALLEY

In the Vineyard:
The Chardonnay fruit is sourced from four vineyards located at the southern end of Dry Creek Valley. The vineyards benefit from the cool microclimate and alluvial soils near the Russian River and produce wines of exceptional fruit and balance, culminating in Chardonnay of great character. Spring rain and perfect growing conditions during the 2018 growing season offered ideal conditions for development in the grapes and, as a result, they reflect bright acidity, high intensity of aromas and excellent quality.

Winemaking:
The winemaking goal is simple: showcase the distinctive fruit of each varietal. This focus on fruit is particularly important in creating the Signature Selection Chardonnay. After the grapes were picked between mid-September and the first part of October we use stainless steel tanks to ferment 85% of the wine, capturing the fresh fruit flavors. The balance was separately barrel fermented in American oak barrels and aged for eight months before being combined. The barrel fermentation and secondary or “malolactic” fermentation added some creamy notes giving a boost of complexity to the finished wine.

Tasting Notes:
Pineapple, mango and peach aromas lead to juicy fruit flavors of citrus, sweet spices, pineapple, and toasty oak notes. The blend of the two Chardonnay lots adds both fruit forward qualities and a creamy texture. Highlighted by bright acidity, the wine finishes clean and refreshing. Drink now—no aging required.

Technical Information
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
BARREL AGING: 15% of the blend was fermented and aged in American oak for 8 months ALCOHOL: 13.5%
pH: 3.37
TOTAL ACIDITY: .660g/100ml

Grand Napa Vineyards Los Carneros Chardonnay 2018

Winemaker Notes
Grand Napa Vineyards hand-selects this rich and balanced Chardonnay from only the finest grapes. The palate offers intense notes of peach, apricot, and citrus fruits along with a long finish. Enjoy this wine with family and friends.

2018 Vintage Recap
Following a long growing season characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the spring and summer, California’s 2018 harvest played out like a dream for winegrowers in regions across the state. Harvest began anywhere from 10 days to three weeks later than in 2017, and vintners are reporting exceptional quality, thanks to consistent growing conditions and cooler temperatures, which allowed the grapes to mature slowly.

Blend Composition:

100% Chardonnay

Technical Analysis:
Titratable Acidity: 5.51g/L
pH: 3.44
Alcohol: 14.2%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L

Bydand Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016

We source our Chardonnay from one of the crown jewels of the esteemed Sangiacomo winegrowing family: Roberts Road Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Marked by coastal winds, foggy mornings, and well-draining gravel soils, this site enjoys a long, slow, and even growing season. Dijon clone 95 Chardonnay vines planted in 1998 impart minerality and vibrancy to full-bodied wine with impressive purity of flavor. Silky, expressive, and seamless. 

Varietal:             100% Chardonnay
Appellation:       Sonoma Coast
Vineyard:            Sangiacomo - Roberts Road Vineyard
Barrel-Aged:       20% New French Oak
Alcohol:              14.0%
Production:        185 Cases

Outlot Chardonnay 2017

VINIFICATION
The 2017 harvest commenced in early August and due to cooler weather, continued slowly. These grapes were picked on September 1st, just before the temperature dramatically shifted and the 100+ degree weather that arrived over Labor Day. Warm days with cool nights led to riper flavors at low sugar levels and incredible brightness and fresh acidity in the fruit.

Our vineyards are planted to a range of clones, from the famed perfumed Dijon clones to the fleshy clone 17, to the tropical clone 4. Through

small-lot fermentation, we enhance the distinction of each clone, then blend in proportions that bring the best of each to the resulting wine.

The grapes were harvested in the morning and whole-cluster pressed. Following fermentation in French oak barrels, the wine was allowed to remain in contact with the yeast lees for the entire nine-month maturation period and stirred periodically in order to integrate the nutty deep flavors of the lees into the wine. Approximately half of the blend underwent malolactic fermentation

TASTING NOTES 
The color is a medium pale golden yellow with aromas of pear, fig, and tropical fruit showcasing the wine’s fruit intensity. Stone fruit flavors are complemented by pretty notes of balanced oak. Undertones of butterscotch and vanilla provide complexity. The initial creaminess on the palate evolves into a crisp finish.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION
90% Chardonnay
10% Gewürztraminer 

APPELLATION
48% Alexander Valley
42% Dry Creek Valley
10% Mendocino County

DETAILS
Alcohol: 14.2%
Residual Sugar: 3.0 g/L
TA: 6.10 g/L
pH: 3.51