2021 Barrel Select Estate Chardonnay

We handpicked our Chardonnay grapes for our Barrel Select Chardonnay early in the morning to preserve the fruit’s integrity. The fruit is delivered in small bins to the winery at very chilly temperatures from the brisk autumn mornings. Whole clusters were added directly to the bladder press for a gentle pressing. After cold settling, we transferred the juice to stainless steel tanks for further settling and clarification. The juice was then racked off the lees into brand new French oak barrels where fermentation was initiated inside the barrels. This wine undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation which converts the tart tasting malic acid to the softer lactic acid creating a rich, creamy complexity. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged sur lie in the barrels. The wine was stirred periodically which mixes the wine with the yeast lees to develop exotic aromas, flavors, and texture. It was then racked to tanks for the final blend assemblage. The Barrel Select Chardonnay is always a culmination of our best new French oak barrels combined with our famous Clone 17 Chardonnay grown in Blocks 27, 9 and 2.