Chardonnay Reserve 2024
$ 19.00The 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.
Featured profile
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 textured palate. Good acidity is well proportioned to the generous body and allows extended cellaring.
Vinification
VINTAGE FACTORS
Cellar life 5 yrs
A unique growing season. Bud-break started March 29, earlier than average. Spring brought mild temperatures and some gentle rain. Two frost nights caused minimal damage. The bloom phase was somewhat disrupted by rains in early June which resulted in a lower fruit set, generating beneficial looser clusters. Summer kicked in with alternating warm and hot days, mild and cooler nights. A pattern of lacking rain set-in starting June 10 and ended August 12 when Tropical Depression Debbie gifted us with 1.72” of much-appreciated rain. Yet, during the drought period, we wisely irrigated 40 of our 170 acres of vines, specifically those parcels of younger vines (3-5yrs) and a few older ones with low water retention. Meanwhile, older parcels with higher water retention adapted perfectly to the drought. The ripening proceeded very well. Harvest started in early-August to end on September 16 just ahead of heavy rain that protracted for sixteen days. All varietals were picked at optimum and delivered very fragrant, intensely aromatic and fresh white wines. The red varietals showed deep color, rich aromas and dense, elegant tannins. A textbook vintage with a combination of characters from the 2009 and 2010 vintages. Some wines from this harvest will be shown at celebratory parties for our soon-to-come 50th Anniversary of the Estate.
Fermentation
In used and new 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%