Growing Conditions
The 2021 growing season provided optimal conditions for our Chardonnay grapes. A mild spring led to an even fruit set, while a warm summer with well-timed rainfall promoted steady ripening and excellent flavor development. The result was a bountiful harvest of Chardonnay grapes with intense flavor concentration and perfect sugar-to-acid balance.
Nose
The nose is captivating, with enchanting aromas of baked apple, citrus, and pineapple, underpinned by subtle hints of toasty oak, butterscotch, and hazelnut.
Palate
On the palate, the wine offers a luxurious mouthfeel, with a creamy, full-bodied texture and well-integrated oak. Flavors of ripe yellow apple, pear, and tropical fruit meld seamlessly with notes of butter, vanilla, and toast, leading to a long, satisfying finish.
Appearance
This Barrel Fermented Chardonnay boasts a stunning golden color with a slight green tinge, indicating the wine's youthful exuberance and inviting you to explore its rich, layered nuances.
Food Pairing
This opulent Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes, particularly those with rich, creamy textures or savory flavors. Consider pairing it with lobster bisque, seared scallops with brown butter, roast chicken, or creamy pasta dishes. It also complements dishes featuring earthy flavors, such as wild mushroom risotto or truffle-infused dishes.
Aging
The aging potential of our Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2021 is quite promising, thanks to the wine's balanced structure, rich flavors, and well-integrated oak. This Chardonnay can be enjoyed in its youth for its vibrant fruit flavors and creamy texture; however, it also has the potential to develop further complexity and depth with age.
Typically, a Barrel Fermented Chardonnay like this one can be cellared for 5-7 years, or even longer depending on the specific conditions of the vintage and the winemaking techniques employed. As the wine ages, the fruit flavors may become more subdued, while secondary notes of toast, hazelnut, and caramel may become more pronounced. The wine's texture may also evolve, becoming even more rounded and silky over time.
To age the wine, store it in a cool, dark, and humidity-controlled environment, ideally at a temperature around 55°F (13°C) with a relative humidity of about 70%. This will help preserve the wine's quality and ensure it evolves gracefully over time.
Harvest
The 2021 harvest for our Barrel Fermented Chardonnay was marked by ideal growing conditions, leading to beautifully ripe and concentrated grapes. The Chardonnay was hand-harvested in early September, ensuring optimal ripeness and the preservation of the grape's natural acidity. Once in the winery, the grapes were carefully sorted, pressed, and barrel-fermented to create this luxurious and sophisticated wine.
Experience the indulgence of our Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2021 and savor the remarkable depth and complexity that makes this wine a truly exceptional expression of a classic varietal.