Napa Valley Chardonnay

Vintage: 2009
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa Valley
Analysis: Alcohol: 14.4% | pH: 3.50 | TA: .56 g/100mL
Aging: Nine months in 22% new French oak.
Vineyard: The heart of this wine comes from our Su’skol vineyard in the Carneros growing region in southern Napa Valley. With its close proximity to San Pablo and San Francisco Bays, the marine influence of cooling morning fog and afternoon breezes create an ideal climate for growing Chardonnay. The 175-acre vineyard is planted exclusively to Chardonnay with nine unique clones, giving our winemaker a veritable spice rack to choose from to add layers of complexity to the wine.
Tasting Notes: The 2009 Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay shows aromas of honeysuckle, and follows with apple, pear and nectarine on the palate. The wine displays nice viscosity in the mid-palate, but remains defined by the cleansing acidity in the finish. Some 45% of the Chardonnay is allowed to undergo Malolactic fermentation prior to aging in small oak barrels, with 22% in new French oak, and the balance mostly in a mixture of once and twice-used French oak.