2016 Garden Creek Chardonnay, Estate Clonal Selection, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Winemaker Notes
A bright brilliant yellow straw color. Lovely high-toned aromas of honeysuckle and lemon blossoms combined with yellow pear, golden delicious apple, tangerine, guava and a flinty mineral quality exhibit Chardonnay at its finest. The broad flavors of yellow pear, guava, lemon verbena, orange curd and lime zest are generous and satisfying. Bright acidity gives focus and length across the palate.
Climate and Harvest
2016 was similar to 2015 with overall a cooler year. The year began with an average early spring with cool moderate temperatures, all leading to a smaller crop. Average temperatures throughout summer and fog maintained itself in late August into early September slowing down the maturation. Overall, a stellar year, albeit a small crop naturally yielding intense fruit flavors.
As winemakers, our intention is to reveal the true character of our land and soils through variations of clones. This year we again chose 7 of the 11 clones chosen. Night harvesting began at midnight pre-fermentation maturations occurred 24-hours in stainless tanks allowing the skins to soften releasing gentle tannins and mineral richness, whole cluster pressing.
Details
Our Other Wines
Garden Creek Tesserae
Garden Creek Vineyard, Alexander Valley
Estate Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon Assemblage
A wine of individuality and powerful elegance with remarkable aging potential. A complex Cabernet Sauvignon blended with components of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Hand-selected by soil variation from our estate vineyard. Aged for eight-years upon release.
WärneliusMiller Pinot Noir
Golden Fleece Vineyard, Anderson Valley
Mendocino
A Pinot Noir showcasing a classic varietal defining the intimate variation of soils in the land influenced by the cool Pacific climate capturing alluring, expressive elegant wines with texture, structure and tension.
