2008 Chardonnay
Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, baked granny smith apple and Tahitian vanilla are followed by a soft, rich entry. The palate offers lush fruit flavors of meyer lemon and Asian pear with notes of toffee and cream. Distinctive minerality, crisp acidity, and a long bright finish make this chardonnay an ideal pairing for fish and shellfish.
| Vintage: | 2008 |
| Wine Type: | Dry White Wine |
| Varietal: | Chardonnay |
| Appellation: | Sonoma Valley |
| Harvest Date: | September 8-9, 2008 |
| Acid: | 0.69g/100ml |
| PH: | 3.48 |
| Aging: | 9 months |
| Barrel Aging: | |
| 9 Months | |
| Bottling Date: | August 2009 |
| Alcohol %: | 14.6% |
Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, baked granny smith apple and Tahitian vanilla are followed by a soft, rich entry. The palate offers lush fruit flavors of meyer lemon and Asian pear with notes of toffee and cream. Distinctive minerality, crisp acidity, and a long bright finish make this chardonnay an ideal pairing for fish and shellfish.
Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard Estate grown, produced and bottled Sustainably farmed Huichica clay-loam soil with gravel deposits at 75 feet elevation Two distinct blocks of Chardonnay harvested separately One block 30-plus-year-old Wente clone; one block Robert Young clone Yield 2.8 tons/acre
Night harvested by hand in two lots Each lot processed separately based on distinct profile Whole-cluster pressed Free run and press fractions vinified separately 24 hours cold-settled in stainless steel Yeast strains Montrachet and indigenous 100% barrel fermented Lees stirring for up to five months post fermentation 30% malolactic fermentation Final blend assembled one month before bottling Lightly fined as needed by lot and filtered to bottle Nine months in 100% French oak, 10% new Medium tight grain, medium to medium- plus toast Primary coopers Darjaud et Jaegle, Mercier and Saury
In 2008, there was more springtime frost than usual, but we were lucky enough to not be greatly affected unlike some of our neighbors. We found ourselves enduring erratic temperatures in May with heat spikes followed by cool weather and very little rain. June and July brought heat in combination with smoke strewn across Northern California. Luckily, our grapes were not affected by the smoke to our north. While the harvest was busy at first, mid-September brought cooler weather which slowed ripening, allowing us to catch our breath and finish out the season calmly. The strong 2008 vintage resulted in concentrated wines, full of distinctive character.
1,907 Cases
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