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Chardonnay Reserve2021

19.00

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Chardonnay Reserve

The grapes are allowed to achieve a proportionately higher potential alcohol on the vine than our classic Chardonnay. Then, selecting 2nd and 3rd-use barrels of French and American oak for fermentation and for aging, we preserve Chardonnay’s inherent effusiveness and lengthen its palate performance without malolactic fermentation. Core varietal aromas and flavors are thereby captured, and extended by batonnage through several months on the lees.

 

Year

2021

Cellar Life

5yrs

The season opened in late March on a note of suspense - early bud break and frost threats, which were mitigated by our wind machines. Perfectly timed spring rains then allowed for a superior bloom of the clusters in early June. Ideally, from early July we received 7 weeks of very warm and dry weather. Manual watering took place in some parcels with low water retention, and in mid-August we received needed rain. Harvest took place at optimal ripening times between August 14th and September 21st. The 2021 weather gifted us with some of the most admirably balanced wines we have produced, reminiscent of the elegance we saw in Octagon 2009, winner of our 4th Governor’s Cup.

Fermentation In used barrels of French and American oak for 10-12 days at 70ºF; no malolactic fermentation
Aging On the lees in used and new French and American oak for up to 8 months
Composition Chardonnay 100%
Analysis Alcohol, 13.0%
Residual Sugars, 0.2%
Total Acidity, 0.61%

Food Pairings

White Wine Risotto with Parmigiano and chive

Bisque of Fresh Eastern Shore Shrimp

Streamed blue crab

Tasting Notes

The wine is exploding with rich and complex flavors of pear, apple, and vanilla, a lavishly texured palate. Good acidity is well proportioned to the generous body and allows extended cellaring.