Schug Carneros Estate
2007 Heritage Reserve, Chardonnay
Exceptional Wine! - WineHeist.com
This week we are delighted to have secured another small allocation from the Heritage Reserve collection of wines from Schug Estate, one of the pioneers of the Carneros AVA. While Schug and others have shown that many grape varieties can succeed in Carneros, we always find that it is the Burgundian varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, that perform best in this cool, foggy climate. And while Pinot tends to get a lot of attention, there really is something special about Carneros Chardonnay, particularly when grown in the vineyards to the Southwest of the town of Sonoma, where the Schug Estate is located. These Chardonnays seem to have a depth and an earthiness that is less common in other areas of California, and the 2007 Schug Heritage Reserve is a wonderful example of this.
The 2007 Schug Estate Heritage Reserve Chardonnay is a barrel selection representing the depth and complexity obtained by blending select clones from throughout the various microclimates of the Schug Estate vineyards. The result is a wonderful Chardonnay that beautifully shows the characters of both the California vineyards in which it was grown, and the Burgundian heritage of the varietal. Pale gold in color, the nose shows peach and citrus aromas, along with classic earthy and mushroom notes usually found in White Burgundy. The palate has pear, apple, straw, and a minerally, almost salty note. Layered and complex with good acid and plenty of body, this is a smooth, classy wine that does a wonderful job of straddling the line between Old and New World. This will please fans of California Chardonnay with its richness, but has plenty to offer for those who prefer French style Chardonnay as well. Don't miss this classic Chardonnay!
Appellation: 98% Carneros, 2% Sonoma Valley
Harvest Dates: September 6th through October 5th, 2007
Sugar at Harvest: 24.0 degrees Brix average
Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented and aged “sur lie” for an average of 7 months 15% of the blend underwent malo-lactic fermentation
Aging Cooperage: 41% in new French “Allier” oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.0% by volume
Acidity: TA = 0.75 g/100ml; pH = 3.34
Production: 413 cases (12 x 750ml); 4 cases (6 x 1.5 L)
Release Date: January 1st, 2009
PDFIt’s a little hard to believe with all the rain we’ve been having in Northern California, but summer is just around the corner, and it’s definitely time to start thinking about white wines for the warmer weather. There is no shortage of light, refreshing, high acid white wines out there to choose from when you are just looking for a warm-weather quaffer, but when you want something with a little more depth and complexity, things get a bit more challenging. Especially if you are not a fan of Chardonnay, or just need a change of pace, it can be challenging to find a dry white with a little more depth. Luckily, we were able to secure an allocation of the 2008 Spring Mountain Estate Sauvignon Blanc, which beautifully expresses a Bordeaux-style white wine, with the attending richness and complexity, and also delivers plenty of fresh California fruit.
The 2008 Spring Mountain Estate Sauvignon Blanc is medium straw in color, with classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lime, apple, and fresh cut grass. The lively, spicy palate shows lemon peel, green apple, key lime, and even a hint of cucumber. Fermented in neutral French oak, and with 13% Semillon in the final blend, this wine has plenty of body and structure, yet bracing acidity keeps it light and refreshing. With all of the spicy, herbal elements in this wine it’s a natural match for salad, where the acidity cuts through the olive oil beautifully. Try it with fennel for an intriguing match, or pair with simply prepared fish with fresh herbs. This versatile wine is one you will want to be drinking all summer, and with WineHeist pricing, you can!
About The Winery...
Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California’s first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets (Backus and Eisele Vineyards).
Drawing on his long experience in the production of fine wines in both Europe and California, Walter set up his own winery with his wife Gertrud in the cool, marine climate of the Carneros Appellation. Here he could focus on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals that had always been close to his heart.
Learn more at www.schugwinery.com.
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