Clos du Bois Chardonnay
Tasting Notes Brilliant silver straw yellow in color.
Intense aromas of apple blossom, ripe pear, and sweet lemon drop are
complemented by toasty oak, spice, and cream. In the mouth, the silky texture
of the wine is overlaid with bright, juicy flavors of ripe apple and pear for a
long and fresh finish.
Vineyard Notes The year opened with average
precipitation. Bud break was a week or so behind the previous year, but the
vines were off to a great start. Classic weather followed during fruit set with
cool mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. A July heat wave signaled the crop to
ripen and harvest began as expected. Record-breaking heat and low humidity in
September pushed speedy picking for grapes at optimum Brix. A cool wave then
elevated sugars back up to optimum Brix extending hang time into October and
giving us the luxury of picking mature fruit with great flavor and developed
tannins.
Winemaker Notes The grapes were harvested cool and gently
pressed at the winery in order to preserve the Chardonnay's pure fruit flavors.
After settling, the juice was partially barrel fermented in a combination of
French and American oak, with the remaining juice undergoing fermentation in
stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation was then induced to soften the wine's
acidity and impart a smooth mouthfeel. To encourage maximum flavor development,
the wine was aged in the barrel sur lie for six months, with the lees stirred
monthly prior to bottling. The wine was bottled starting June 2018.
Food Pairing Notes This crisp, fresh Chardonnay will
complement a variety of foods, including fish prepared in lemon butter sauce,
pasta in cream sauce, and herb-roasted chicken.