2012 Winery of the Year - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal - International Wine Channel TV Awards
The 2012 growing season in Northern California was one of the best ever, and was punctuated by long, even ripening without drama. Even the late rains were followed by dry, windy conditions. Indian summer blessed us throughout the fall—perfect weather for finishing up the season. The ample crop overall made tank space the only real challenge this year. It was a bumper crop of deliciousness.
This expressive 2012 Carneros Chardonnay is fruit forward and balanced, delivering scents of pear, apple, butterscotch and pineapple, laced with delicate floral notes of honeysuckle. The attack is layered with succulent stone fruit flavors and buttery, toasted pastry dough. The lively acidity, combined with a rich creaminess and almond toffee flavors, give this wine a long, pleasing finish.
Vintage: 2012
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 12th - October 17th, 2012
Acid: 0.62 g/100ml TA
pH: 3.51
Aging: Barrel fermented in 34% new, 33% once and 33% twice-filled French oak barrels for 9 months.
Alcohol: 14.4%
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh black currants, kirsch, and mulberries... Full-bodied, the palate delivers a firm line of grainy tannins with bold freshness to frame the muscular black fruit, finishing long and cedary.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
