2005 Chardonnay

Purchase 2005 Chardonnay

Harvest Date: September 2 through October 4

Varietal Composition: 100 percent Chardonnay

Appellation: Napa County

Vineyards (all Estate): 63 percent Yountville Ranch; 17 percent Vineburg Vineyard; 11 percent Carneros Vineyard; 2 percent Mt. George Vineyard

Bottling Date: May 2006

Release Date: September 15, 2006

The year began with wet weather, followed by a dry period in March, then continued rainfall well into spring with later than usual bloom and set on the vine. The valley experienced unseasonable precipitation into early June. The cool weather continued, with a pleasant summer with few heat spikes. As September approached, growers had concern that the larger than normal crop on the vine would not fully ripen as fog prevailed well into when warm temperatures of Indian Summer typically prevail to harvest. Eventually, though later than normal, the warm days arrived, building much-needed sugars, especially in the red varieties.

A cool season produced a late and large crop allowing the grapes to retain structure. After pressing, all fermentation took place in 60-gallon oak barrels, 22 percent of them new. 58 percent of the barrels underwent malolactic fermentation, lending smoothness and depth to the young wine. 100 percent of the blend is estate grown and barrel fermented. The blend averaged six months in barrels, 87 percent of them French oak, 13 percent American.

Alcohol, 13.9 percent; titratable acidity, 5.25 g per L; pH, 3.61; residual sugar, 0.10 percent.

Mineral and honeysuckle aromas. Ripe melon and bright pear flavors; medium body with a mouthwatering balance of fruit and oak.

Purchase 2005 Chardonnay